After being benched for Michael Penix Jr., what’s next for Kirk Cousins?

Atlanta: So, Kirk Cousins is now sitting on the bench, and it looks like his time with the Falcons might be coming to an end. Unless something crazy happens, like Michael Penix Jr. getting hurt, Cousins will likely be looking for a new team next year.

The Falcons surprised everyone by picking Penix Jr. instead of getting Cousins some help. This means they can easily move on from him after just one season, but only if he agrees to waive his no-trade clause.

Next year, the Falcons are set to pay Cousins a whopping $62.5 million. He’s also got a guaranteed salary of $27.5 million for 2025, which is still a decent deal compared to what other quarterbacks are making these days.

But here’s the kicker: they might even pay some of his salary to make a trade happen. The real question is, who would want to trade for him? His recent performance hasn’t been great, and he’s struggled since throwing four touchdowns against the Cowboys. In the last five games, he’s only managed one touchdown and has thrown nine interceptions.

Plus, Cousins has to be okay with being traded. He might just decide to stick around as Penix’s backup and collect that $27.5 million instead of moving to a new team.

If the Falcons trade him before June 1, they’ll face a $37.5 million cap charge, which is still better than his $40 million cap hit for next year. But if they cut him after June 1, it’ll cost them $40 million, although they’ll get credit for whatever he makes elsewhere.

Looking ahead, not many teams will be hunting for a starting quarterback. The Jets, Browns, Steelers, Titans, Raiders, Giants, Saints, and maybe the Seahawks could be in the mix. And don’t forget about the 49ers. With Brock Purdy not living up to expectations, they might want to bring Cousins back into the fold.

Lastly, the Rams could be a possibility too. Cousins is still younger than Matthew Stafford, and coach Sean McVay has a good history with him from their time in Washington.