The Atlanta Falcons made the most peculiar draft selection this past weekend when they chose Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Terry Fontenot, the general manager, then tried to defend his choice. Fans were never going to fully buy into what he was peddling, no matter how he spun it. Everyone on this team is aware that a different course should have been taken. But whatever is done is done, and Phoenix is a Falcon. It was only recently that Fontenot stated he could not envision Penix sitting for four or five years. Thus, what is now the situation with Kirk Cousins, who the Falcons signed to a lucrative four-year contract? The Falcons would never consider moving Cousins in the near future, is there? Following the selection of Michael Penix Jr., may the Falcons trade Kirk Cousins? Is it possible that a Cousins trade will occur? When, if so?At least one Cousins trade could happen this year, according to NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, who cited specifics from his contract: “Cousins might decide he wants to move out,” writes Florio. “After June 1st, he could theoretically be moved for $37.5 million in 2025 and $12.5 million in dead money this year. His cap hit if he stays with the team the next season is expected to be $40 million; if he is traded after the season, the charge in 2025 will be $37.5 million.” Given that Cousins hasn’t yet started playing for the Falcons, a trade sounds ludicrous, but Florio believes Atlanta may have outwitted itself. Penix will not sit for four or five years as G.M. Terry Fontenot has proposed. In the event that Cousins is hurt, it’s one at most and three at most. Two is the most likely number. Even though Cousins has a no-trade clause, if Penix takes over at that point, he would definitely think about waiving it in order to play somewhere else.” It is evident that the cap makes it very tough for the Falcons to complete a trade for Cousins. It would have to be a circumstance that is virtually like Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos. Could tensions between the two sides really go that bad, though? Wilson’s relationship with the Broncos was entirely unrelated. In Atlanta, cousins appear to be appreciated and desired, but Wilson? That ship has sailed. Even if it appears improbable, Florio’s remark of this is noteworthy. Although the future is uncertain, one thing is certain: for the foreseeable future, the quarterback situation in Atlanta will be a contentious issue.
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