Yesterday, we got our first bit of news since Kirk Cousins’ $10 million roster bonus became fully guaranteed.
Josina Anderson reported the veteran’s name has come up in preliminary trade inquiries, noting she heard talk of a “3rd-round pick being potentially actionable.”
It was surprising and frankly unbelievable. The Falcons have a better chance of prime Matt Ryan walking through the doors of Flowery Branch than getting a third-round pick in exchange for Cousins in any capacity.
I obviously don’t know as much as Anderson, but it didn’t pass the smell test, and Jordan Schultz’s latest report backs that up, one that paints the Falcons in a completely different light.
“Right now, they’re frustrated and just trying to buy time,” a current GM Schultz. “They’re all-in on (Michael) Penix. He’s their guy. They love him. But they can’t keep Cousins — just can’t. So I think (GM Terry Fontenot) is trying to find a trade partner willing to take on at least part of Kirk’s salary.”
When Schultz asked how likely it would be for Fontenot to find a partner, the GM said this:
“Not very. But it’s still possible. Maybe he can get a team that misses out on a QB to bite before or even after the draft. That’s his best shot — hoping someone is still without a quarterback when the music stops. But they’re calling everyone right now that will listen.”
That sounds much closer to reality than Anderson’s report. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
It takes two to tango, and the Falcons need a team willing to trade for Cousins, who I assume is willing to waive his no-trade clause. I think the entire situation is at a standstill, waiting for the few remaining veterans to sign and the NFL Draft. Once those two happen, a quarterback-needy team may emerge.
At this point, a Kirk Cousins trade seems far-fetched, especially one involving anything more than a Day 3 draft pick.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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