Kirk Cousins may want out of Atlanta, but he’s finding that the NFL marketplace isn’t exactly eager to accommodate a 36-year-old quarterback still working his way back from a major injury — especially now that the Falcons have clearly hit the reset button with rookie Michael Penix Jr.
A Brutally Honest Assessment
In a refreshingly candid media session on Tuesday, Cousins pulled back the curtain on his physical state. Let’s just say — the report wasn’t glowing. He admitted that he thought he was near full strength after his 2023 Achilles tear, only to realize later he was barely halfway there.
“I thought I was at an eight,” he said per the Associated Press, rating his recovery on a ten-point scale. “But I was really back at a three or four.” Now, he says he’s trending closer to a six, maybe a seven. Decent update, but not exactly the kind of pitch that gets general managers lining up to make a trade.
Cousins clarified that while his Achilles healed fine, his ankle mobility held him back. Translation? He had the strength but not the fluidity — and in a league where every millisecond counts, mobility is a major deal, especially for an aging quarterback who never had Lamar Jackson’s legs to begin with.
A Strong Start, a Fast Fade
Cousins did manage to return in time to start Week 1 for Atlanta and even led the team to a 6-3 record. But as the season wore on, the wheels came off. A string of minor injuries — elbow, shoulder, ankle — left him looking gassed. Dead-arm talk began to bubble up, and by Week 15, with the Falcons at 7-7. In response, the baton was officially passed to Penix.
That was the end of the line. Penix didn’t just inherit the starting job — he kept it right through the regular season. That signaled a demotion that now seems permanent for Cousins.
Trade Market: Cold as Ice
If Cousins hoped Tuesday’s comments would spark a trade, they likely did the opposite.
Teams that were once seen as potential suitors — the Browns, Giants, Vikings, and Steelers — have all filled their QB rooms. And the reality is, no team is going to cough up assets for a guy openly admitting he’s still not at full capacity and struggles to generate torque on throws without getting his “whole body into it.”
There’s always the chance a contending team loses a starter in training camp or early in the season. But even then, Cousins’ physical limitations — combined with his salary, age, and mobility concerns — make him a tough sell.
The Road Ahead For the Falcons
Head coach Raheem Morris left the door cracked, saying Cousins will remain on the roster as the Falcons’ backup if no deal materializes. It’s a smart play: no need to give him away for nothing. If Penix falters, the team has a (theoretically) seasoned option waiting.
But make no mistake — this is Penix’s team now. Unless a team gets desperate between now and Week 1, Cousins might just have to settle into a role he’s never had before: veteran clipboard-holder.
