It’s the Michael Penix Jr. era in Atlanta, as the Falcons announced the benching of Kirk Cousins. While the fan base is excited about new beginnings, the fallout from signing Cousins to a $180 million free agent contract is only beginning as well.
Heads should roll for this ordeal, which is nothing short of an unmitigated disaster, but we know they won’t because nobody has ever had to take responsibility for terrible decisions in Atlanta before. There’s always a lamb that gets slaughtered, but it’s rarely ever the deserving party.
The Falcons will have a difficult time this offseason dealing with the fallout of paying Cousins that ludicrous contract. Whether they trade him or cut him, they’re likely headed for a place all too familiar — dead cap. When the club traded Matt Ryan, they took on the highest dead cap hit in NFL history.
Just a few years later, the Falcons haven’t learned their lesson. If you ask Andrew Brandt, an expert on the subject matter, the Falcons will release Kirk Cousins with a post-June 1 designation, and the club will have paid him $90 million for 14 games of work.
https://twitter.com/AndrewBrandt/status/1869349195985064446
Brandt joined the Packers as their Vice President of Player Finance and General Counsel in 1999, negotiating all player contracts, managing the NFL Salary Cap, and handling all business-related football operations.
While I still believe there will be a trade suitor out there, it’s hard to argue with Brandt. However, look around the NFL and who will be starting under center — Mason Rudolph for the Titans, Tim Boyle for the Giants, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the Browns. You’re telling me a club won’t be interested in one year of Kirk Cousins for $27.5 million? I find that hard to believe.
Of course, I would be foolish to say an outright release isn’t possible. It is possible. The biggest obstacle isn’t finding a suitor; it’s convincing Kirk Cousins to waive his no-trade clause, which isn’t in his best interest.
“Pay me my money and release me” is how Cousins will likely approach the situation, so he can go sign somewhere for the veteran minimum like Russell Wilson this past offseason.
The Falcons royally screwed up again, an all to familiar trend for this organization.
—
Photographer: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.