Perhaps the biggest layer is Cousins's no-trade clause. He has the right to waive it and decline trades to other teams, which makes sense for his camp considering a trade would detract assets from his new team. Fontenot said whether the Falcons can adjust Cousins's no-trade clause is a private discussion that will happen in due time.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot claims benched quarterback Kirk Cousins could stick around Atlanta as a high-paid backup next season. Fontenot said Thursday the franchise has no plan to release Cousins before his $10 million roster guarantee five days into the start of the new league year March 12,

Kirk Cousins’ future hangs in the balance. Whilst rumors have floated around about his future, surrounding potential trades, the front office have downplayed notions of Cousins’ impending departure, insisting – somewhat curiously – that they would be happy for him to stick around on the team.

Kirk Cousins and the defense. They will have to explore ways of getting rid of the veteran while supporting their franchise quarterback in Michael Penix Jr.