when Kirk Cousins He signed his four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March, and no one expected him to be benched before the end of his first season.
With Cousins benched due to poor play and rookie Michael Penix Jr. taking his place, the Falcons are now expected to release the quarterback after the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Cousins is due a $10 million bonus on March 17, and according to the report, NFL executives expect Cousins to be released before then.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) takes the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Photos by Jeffrey Baker-Imagine)
if Falcons If you cut Cousins before March 17 and save $10 million, they are still on the hook for most of Cousins' contracts.
Of Cousins' $180 million contract, $100 million of it is guaranteed. If the Falcons cut Cousins before next season, they will eat up $65 million. For Spotrac.
Cousins' cap hit for next season was $40 million if he was still on the roster, but cutting him adds another $25 million to Cousins' cap hit toward the Falcons' salary cap for next season.
With rookie Penix Jr. set to play. To start in place of Cousins when the Falcons take over New York Giants On Sunday, Cousins will be the most expensive quarterback in NFL history.
Cousins also has a no-trade clause, and according to the report, he is not expected to waive it.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws the ball past the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. (Photos by Kirby Lee-Imagine)
The 36-year-old quarterback was reportedly frustrated that the Falcons selected a quarterback with the eighth overall pick in the draft last season, selecting Cousins' eventual replacement instead of a player who could help them win now.
According to the report, Cousins' frustrations with how things were handled made executives believe the quarterback would do the team no favors and waive his no-trade clause.
Cousins will be in a similar situation this season Russell Wilson It was his last offseason, if he was actually released.
Wilson has previously been released Denver Broncos last season, yet the team still paid him $53 million this season per Spotrac.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Photos by Jeffrey Baker-Imagine)
Wilson signed a one-year, league-minimum veteran contract with Pittsburgh Steelers With the quarterback still being paid by the Broncos.
Cousins would be in a position to sign a major league veteran to another team, like Wilson, while the Falcons still get paid to not play for them.
Through nine games, things have been going smoothly for Cousins and the Falcons. The team was 6-3 and atop the NFC South.
The team is now 7-7 after a four-game losing streak and is out of a playoff position. The humble Falcons won las vegas raiders 15-9 on Monday, snapping the skid, but Cousins played poorly in the win, prompting coach Raheem Morris to make a change.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9 years old) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Photos by Stephen R. Silvani-Imagine)
Cousins completed 66.9% of his passes, throwing for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while also throwing a league-high 16 interceptions.
In addition to throwing 16 interceptions, Cousins has 12 pass breakups, the most ever NFL With Baker Mayfield.
Over his last five games, Cousins has thrown just one touchdown with nine interceptions.
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