Falcons QB Kirk Cousins could take similar path as Matt Ryan

The Falcons have a potentially franchise-altering decision looming this offseason — cut, trade, or hold Kirk Cousins.

Arthur Blank, Terry Fontenot, and Raheem Morris all decided to aggressively attack the quarterback position last offseason, and they came away with the top free agent on the market, agreeing to a $180 million deal to bring Kirk Cousins to Atlanta.

It was a deal that was praised at first and then criticized when the team decided about a month later to draft Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick. It was a move that limited the organization’s ability to maximize either contract. It handicapped the Falcons financially, and it went about as poorly as anyone could’ve anticipated.

After breaking Matt Ryan’s single-game passing record, Kirk Cousins’ production fell off a cliff. The Falcons began 6-3 and then proceeded to lose four games in a row while Cousins threw eight interceptions and zero touchdowns. It was the stretch that effectively ended Atlanta’s playoff chances, but more than that, it ended Cousins’ short time as the Falcons starter.

Even after stopping the losing streak with a win over the lowly Raiders, Morris and Fontenot had seen enough — it was Michael Penix’s time. The Falcons benched the veteran in favor of the rookie, leaving the team in a difficult position.

Do they just cut ties with Cousins? Or do they try to force his hand by giving him an ultimatum? Accept a trade or be a backup in Atlanta. It’s hard to see Cousins on the roster in 2025; in fact, he’s almost taking a similar path as Matt Ryan.

Cousins made a strong debut as an analyst for ESPN during the Chiefs and Texans matchup in the Divisional Round, drawing praise from many, including colleague Pat McAfee, who wrote on X that Cousins “is gonna be PHENOMENAL on television.”

While his immediate future is cloudy, his post-career plan is quite clear, similar to Matt Ryan’s tenure. When the Falcons pursued Deshaun Watson, it left the greatest quarterback in franchise history in limbo.

Eventually, he was traded to the Colts before his career abruptly ended, leading him to a role on the CBS Sports crew. Kirk Cousins is headed for similar territory. Whether it’s in Atlanta or another town, he’s in the twilight years of his career and will soon make the transition to television.

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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire