The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly exploring trade options for quarterback Marcus Mariota after benching him for rookie Desmond Ridder. Despite signing a lucrative contract in the offseason, Mariota struggled in his 14 starts, leading the team to a 7-7 record. The Falcons will listen to trade offers but are hoping to receive something in return for Mariota.
Cousins, the 36-year-old signal caller who was benched after 14 starts, told Morris they'd talk soon -- and according to NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe, their discussions may carry over into next season. They will listen to teams in regards to trade offers, but they want to get something back from that deal, and they're willing to bring him back as a backup quarterback if it doesn't happen that way.Cousins signed a four-year contract worth up to $180 million in March.
He played only 14 games this season, completing 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Over his final five starts, Cousins threw only one touchdown and nine interceptions while the Falcons went just 1-4. A four-time Pro Bowler, Cousins arrived in Atlanta this spring to help the franchise snap a seven-year playoff drought. He led the Falcons to a 7-7 record in his starts, but Atlanta felt Penix was a better option to close the season. Across three starts, Penix went 58-for-100 passing for 737 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions and one rushing score. He capped his season with a 312-yard, three-total-touchdown performance in 'Release him before March 16, 2025 (no-post June 1 designation): They'd still owe him $27.5 million fully guaranteed cash and carry a $65M dead cap hit in 2025. * Release him before March 16 (post-June 1 designation): Same cash, but they'd spread the dead cap hit over two years: $40M in 2025 (his scheduled number) and $25M in 2026. * Trade him before June 1, 2025 (which he'd need to agreed to): They'd carry a dead cap number of $37.5M in 2025, but save $27.5M in cash and $2.5M in cap, depending on how much of the $27.5 million the trade partner was willing to take on. They could save at most $27.5-million. If Cousins remains on the Atlanta roster as of March 16, another $10M in 2026 would become fully guaranteed -- not impossible, but practically unfathomable after the decision toda
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