The Atlanta Falcons are planning to keep Kirk Cousins as their backup quarterback for the 2025 season despite drafting rookie Mike Penix as their starter. General manager Terry Fontenot emphasized Cousins' positive contributions and readiness for the backup role.
are ready to move forward with one of the most expensive backup quarterback s in NFL history, according to the team's general manager.., who was slated to be the quarterback of the future, was thrust into the starting role over the final three weeks of the season and performed well, though the team missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Where does that leave Cousins and his contract? Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said the team is willing to keep him on for another season as Penix's No. 2. "That's what we planned for with Kirk as the starter. He's not the starter anymore, but we're very comfortable moving forward with him as the backup."
If the Falcons released Cousins before the start of the 2025 league year , they would get hit with $65 million in dead money, coming from his fully guaranteed base salary of $27.5 million and $37.5 million in remaining proration, per Roster Management System. If they do it with a post-June 1 designation, the dead money would spread over the 2025 and 2026 season -- $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026.
NFL Falcons Kirk Cousins Mike Penix Backup Quarterback
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