Albert Breer provides updates on Falcons, Kirk Cousins situation

The Falcons’ chances of trading Kirk Cousins took a massive hit last week when the Browns inked Joe Flacco to a one-year deal, and we got a few updates on the entire situation from Albert Breer following the Flacco signing.

“That the Browns would be willing to pay Flacco $13 million if he starts and performs for them could be a clue that they weren’t willing to go much beyond that to get Cousins. The Falcons, I’ve heard, have been tough on the idea that they should take on much of Cousins’s salary to facilitate a trade, not wanting to pay down too much of it to “buy” a draft pick.

You’d think the Browns would rather have Cousins than Flacco, but my sense is the team views the two similarly. So the number they maxed Flacco out at tells me that the Falcons weren’t going pick up even half of Cousins’s money for 2025 to push a deal through.”

Breer is suggesting that the Falcons are drawing a line in the sand. Cousins is owed $27.5 million, his 2025 base salary, and the Falcons weren’t willing to eat around $14.5 million of that. Essentially, the Browns were willing to pay Flacco $13 million instead of whatever acquiring Cousins would cost.

“So where could Cousins go? I think Cleveland is a lot less likely now, but not completely impossible. The other team I’d pay attention to is the Pittsburgh Steelers, if Aaron Rodgers decides not to go there. How he fits there, with the strong personalities in that locker room, and on offense in particular, is a fair question. But you don’t have to squint too hard to envision a marriage of convenience between two sides who, once the dust settles on Rodgers, may need each other,” Breer continued.

The Falcons are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If Aaron Rodgers signs with the Steelers, that would probably seal Cousins’ fate in Atlanta unless an unforeseen injury arises. If Rodgers signs with the Vikings, perhaps the Steelers will be desperate enough to trade for Cousins.

Simply put, things are headed towards the Falcons having Kirk Cousins in training camp. With Michael Penix Jr. taking the reins, it’s just a distraction in Flowery Branch, and nobody wants that.

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Photographer: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

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