Report on Falcons’ plan to release Kirk Cousins ​​in March is ‘pure speculation’

With Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​benched, many are making predictions about his future.

However, the team has not yet made any decisions.

In response to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.com that the Falcons are expected to be released Cousin before March 17, a source with knowledge of the situation calls the report “pure speculation.”

When you look closely at the report, it is exactly speculation. It’s worded in terms of “executives across the NFL fully expect Atlanta to release him by then.”

The report also has one fact wrong. The purpose would not be to avoid a $10 million 2025 roster bonus before it becomes due; that would be to prevent a 2026 roster bonus from going from guaranteed for damage to fully guaranteed.

After giving him $62.5 million this year and owing him $27.5 million fully guaranteed for 2025, $10 million is some small potatoes.

According to the source, no decisions will be made about 2025 until 2024 ends. Given the low numbers attached to Michael Penix Jr.’s rookie contract, Cousins ​​could remain as a backup. With a salary cap of just $27.5 million for 2025, it’s both a bargain and insurance against Penix being injured or ineffective.

So while it may be true that various unnamed executives expect the Falcons to release Cousins, there is actually a chance that will happen, for now the Falcons are fully focused on finishing the 2024 season with a playoff berth. They will find out about 2025 when 2025 comes.