The Atlanta Falcons appear to have a bright future with Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and Drake London in place on offense. However, there's a dark cloud hovering over this team in the form of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Penix is the future, but Cousins is still getting paid like the starter.
The Falcons' best option is to trade the 36-year-old to another team after June 1, but that's easier said than done. There are still a few potential landing spots for Cousins, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers are expected to sign Aaron Rodgers but the deal has been slow to come together.
The Browns are considered the favorite for Cousins, who fueled speculation when he was spotted in Ohio last week. One NFL analyst isn't buying Cousins-to-Cleveland rumors, though. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin weighed in on the situation in Atlanta.
"There's no disputing the connections here: Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski was once Cousins' offensive coordinator with the Vikings, and even after acquiring Kenny Pickett via trade, the Browns are in dire need of proven quarterback help, with Deshaun Watson sidelined indefinitely," wrote CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin.
While the Browns clearly have a need at quarterback, Benjamin wonders if they'd be better off just adding one in the draft instead of giving up a pick for Cousins.
"Yet the Atlanta Falcons could've easily cut ties with Cousins by now if they just wanted future financial relief. The fact they've retained his bloated contract instead suggests they're hoping an emergency arises that prompts another team to surrender legitimate compensation via trade. Why, after dealing a pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Pickett, wouldn't the Browns just rather add a rookie on an even cheaper deal via the draft?"
Cousins may not have a big trade market, but the Falcons have no reason to release him since they wouldn't get any cap relief this season. Bringing him back as a high-priced backup seems unlikely, however, it's not completely off the ...
