Falcons position on QB Kirk Cousins 'hasn't changed'

Field Level Media|published: Tue 25th February, 11:57 2025

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) run on the field before a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

INDIANAPOLIS -- Atlanta is all in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the face of the franchise, but the Falcons insist they don't have to part with high-priced No. 2 Kirk Cousins.

"I'm excited, I know our team is excited, our owner is excited for the future with Michael Penix," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Morris said he was "disappointed" with the way things ended for Cousins and Atlanta. General manager Terry Fontenot, who also met with media at the combine, said the move to Penix was entirely a "football decision" despite recent comments from Cousins that he injured his shoulder in Week 10 against the Saints.

Cousins, 36, enters the second year of a four-year, $180 million contract with a $27.5 million base salary and a $10 million roster bonus that hits on the fifth day of the league year. Teams are not expected to offer a draft pick for Cousins because of his onerous salary.

"Michael Penix is our quarterback. We stood here last year and talked about looking for that guy," Morris said of whether Cousins was still competing to start. "We think we found him."

--Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media