When Kirk Cousins signed his four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March, nobody anticipated that he could be benched earlier than the top of his first season.
With Cousins being benched for poor play and rookie Michael Penix Jr. taking his place, the Falcons at the moment are anticipated to launch the quarterback after the season, in response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cousins is owed a $10 million roster bonus on March 17, and in response to the report, executives throughout the NFL anticipate Cousins to be launched earlier than then.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) enters the sector earlier than the sport towards the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos)
If the Falcons do lower Cousins earlier than March 17 and save $10 million, they’re nonetheless on the hook for many of Cousins’ contract.
Of Cousins’ $180 million contract, $100 million of iti s assured. If the Falcons do lower Cousins previous to subsequent season, they will eat a $65 million lifeless cap hit, per Spotrac.
Cousins’ cap hit for subsequent season would have been $40 million if he had been nonetheless on the roster, however reducing him provides one other $25 million to Cousins’ cap cost in direction of the Falcons’ wage cap for subsequent season.
With rookie Penix Jr. set to start out instead of Cousins when the Falcons tackle the New York Giants on Sunday, Cousins can have been the most costly bridge quarterback in NFL historical past.
Cousins additionally has a no-trade clause, and in response to the report, he’s not anticipated to waive it.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws the ball towards the Las Vegas Raiders within the first half at Allegiant Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos)
The 36-year-old quarterback was reportedly annoyed that the Falcons had taken a quarterback with the eighth total decide within the draft final season, selecting Cousins’ eventual substitute as an alternative of a participant who may assist them win now.
Cousins’ frustrations with how issues had been dealt with have executives believing that the quarterback is just not going to do the workforce any favors and waive his no-trade clause, in response to the report.
Cousins will probably be in the same scenario this offseason as Russell Wilson was final offseason, if he’s in actual fact launched.
Wilson was launched by the Denver Broncos final offseason, but the workforce remains to be paying him $53 million this season per Spotrac.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a cross towards the Minnesota Vikings through the second quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos)
Wilson signed a one-year, league veteran minimal contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers with the quarterback nonetheless being paid by the Broncos.
Cousins will probably be in place to signal a league veteran contract with one other workforce, like Wilson, whereas nonetheless being paid by the Falcons to not play for them.
By 9 video games, issues had been going swimmingly for Cousins and the Falcons. The workforce was 6-3 and atop the NFC South.
Now the workforce is 7-7 after a four-game dropping streak and out of playoff place. The Falcons beat the lowly Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday, snapping the skid, however Cousins performed poorly within the loss, prompting head coach Raheem Morris to make the change.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up earlier than a recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Photos)
Cousins has accomplished 66.9% of his passes, throwing for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns this season whereas additionally throwing a league-high 16 interceptions.
Along with throwing 16 interceptions, Cousins has 12 fumbles, which is tied for probably the most within the NFL with Baker Mayfield.
Throughout his final 5 video games, Cousins has thrown only one landing with 9 interceptions.
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