Salary cap ramifications if Falcons cut/trade Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins benched

Well, here we are again, talking QB contracts. Just a few years ago, the Falcons swallowed the difficult pill of taking on over $40 million in dead money to move off Matt Ryan, and now, we’re talking about Kirk Cousins.

Ryan’s figure was an NFL record, only topped by the Broncos parting ways with Russell Wilson. The Falcons gave $180 million to Cousins about 10 months ago, and after just 13 games, most of the fan base is ready to move on to Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins has mostly beaten up on bad defenses, evident in his eight interceptions and no touchdowns in the last four games against the Saints, Broncos, Chargers, and Vikings, four of the best defenses in football.

But in doing so, the club has fallen in four straight, making way for the Buccaneers to recapture first place in the NFC South. Fans see the writing on the wall; Vegas oddsmakers see it the same way — the Falcons are in jeopardy of extending their postseason drought to seven.

Because Atlanta’s final four games are favorable for Kirk Cousins, he’ll certainly start the rest of the season, but more importantly, his performance will probably closely resemble those against the Cowboys and Buccaneers rather than the Broncos and Chargers.

Still, it won’t stop fans from calling for Michael Penix Jr., and I can’t argue with them; however, Cousins’ expected improved play down the stretch and his contract will most likely land him under center in 2025. Fans may want to swallow that pill.

All numbers from OverTheCap

2024: $25 million cap hit
2025: $40 million cap hit
2026: $57.5 million cap hit
2027: $57.5 million cap hit

Cousins received $100 million in guarantees. His 2024 and 2025 salaries are fully guaranteed. There is $10 million in roster bonuses due on the 5th day of the 2026 and 2027 league years.

If the Falcons simply cut him after this season with a pre-June 1 designation, they’ll be looking at $65 million in dead money next year, but that figure drops to $40 million with a post-June 1 designation.

If the Falcons trade him, which Cousins would have to approve because of his no-trade clause, they’ll incur a $27.5 million dead cap hit in 2025, with that figure dropping to $12.5 million if it’s a post-June 1.

Realistically, trading Cousins with a post-June 1 designation would be ideal if the Falcons could somehow find a suitor and also convince the veteran to accept the trade, which may actually be the more challenging task, given Kirk Cousins just moved his family from Minnesota to Atlanta.

Raheem Morris is financially incentivized to keep Kirk Cousins as Atlanta’s starter. Falcons fans should wrap their heads around him being under center for more than just one season.

Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

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