Falcons HC Open to Kirk Cousins Trade, Confident in QB as Penix Jr. Backup amid Rumors

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris isn't shutting the door on a Kirk Cousins trade, but he also believes the veteran quarterback would be willing to remain with the team in a backup role.

Speaking to reporters from the NFL league meetings on Tuesday, Morris said the Falcons would be open to exploring a trade of the 36-year-old if the opportunity presented itself.

Morris went on to say the two sides have had positive conversations and there's confidence Cousins would return to the team as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup in 2025.

The most-frequent team mentioned as a potential landing spot for Cousins are the Cleveland Browns.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic said on the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast that it "would not be surprising" to see the Browns swing a deal for Cousins.

When the four-time Pro Bowler was benched for the final three games last season, it was assumed he would be traded in the offseason.

Instead, the Falcons have been slow-playing the situation. They could have attempted to deal Cousins before March 16 when a $10 million roster bonus for 2026 became guaranteed.

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reported on March 12 that the Falcons planned to move forward with Cousins as their backup, but they are keeping a trade on the table if a suitor emerges at some point.

Cleveland's quarterback plan could come into more clear focus during the draft, assuming nothing happens prior to April 24. If Shedeur Sanders is the No. 2 pick, it would seem to indicate they are going to bet on him going forward.

If a player like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter were to be taken in that spot, the Browns' only healthy quarterback on the roster right now is Kenny Pickett. Deshaun Watson is recovering from a setback in his recovery from an Achilles injury that has his status for the 2025 season up in the air.

Cousins previously worked with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski with the Minnesota Vikings. Stefanski was the offensive coordinator for Cousins' first two seasons in Minnesota in 2018 and 2019.

One indication the Falcons could still trade Cousins rather than keep him is they didn't restructure his contract, which would push the money he is owed into future years.

The Falcons currently have the fifth-lowest amount of cap space available in the NFL ($10.6 million). Cousins has a $40 million cap hit in 2025, but the Falcons could save $27.5 million against the cap if they trade him after June 1.

A pre-June 1 trade would save the Falcons $2.5 million. Penix, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, is entering offseason activities as the top quarterback on Atlanta's depth chart.

Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts for the Falcons in 2024. He was benched after a five-game stretch from Weeks 10 through 15 in which he had one touchdown and nine interceptions.