The Falcons are reporting to Flowery Branch for voluntary workouts today, and someone unexpectedly showed up. According to Zach Klein, Kirk Cousins is with the team.

Per NFL League source… On this very first day of Falcons voluntary workouts… Quarterback Kirk Cousins is with the team.

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) April 22, 2025

It’s shocking that Kirk Cousins is there because Albert Breer recently reported that Cousins wouldn’t be showing up for any offseason programs that weren’t mandatory.

“The start of training camp. Cousins doesn’t plan on showing for the offseason program (he may show for mandatory minicamp to avoid taking the fines). So camp is when things could get more uncomfortable. Would this be a situation such as Jimmy Garoppolo’s in the summer of 2022? It’s tough to say. But there’d definitely be some awkwardness. There also could end up being injuries elsewhere that create movement,” Breer wrote.

The Falcons probably would prefer that Cousins wasn’t anywhere near the team during offseason programs in hopes that the NFL Draft will reveal a trade destination.

I already see Falcons fans reacting to the tweet that it’s not a big deal because Kirk Cousins was and will always be a good teammate, referencing the quote the veteran had about being the best backup possible. If that’s you, you’re missing the point.

Cousins is appearing for one reason: to apply pressure. He’s not going to actively tear down Michael Penix Jr. or the team as a whole, but his presence alone invites controversy. It will spark questions from the media.

Instead of the focus being on the 2025 campaign and the beginning of the Penix Era, it will be about Kirk Cousins and his future. Instead of everyone in Flowery Branch pulling on the same rope, there will be distractions.

It’s not a great situation in Atlanta for the Falcons.

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Photographer: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire