With so much talk surrounding Aaron Rodgers and the quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kirk Cousins has become a forgotten factor in the NFL‘s quarterback carousel. Having been usurped by rookie Michael Penix Jr. during the 2024 season, many expect Cousins to be traded by the Atlanta Falcons.
So far, though, no move has materialized, and Cousins remains on the roster. On April 22, Cousins surprised many at the Falcons’ facility by showing up for the team’s offseason workouts, despite his future being far from certain.
Kirk Cousins Shocks Falcons by Turning Up for Offseason Workouts
Cousins was widely expected to stay away from team activities in the hope of securing a trade to another NFL team. The veteran quarterback has been an NFL starter since taking over from Robert Griffin III for Washington in 2014. Following 2024, after being relegated to second choice for the first time in 10 years, it was believed that Cousins would be on the move during the offseason.
According to a recent social media post from NFL insider Mike Garafolo, though, Cousins is very much still in the Falcons’ building.
#Falcons QB Kirk Cousins was in the building for the start of offseason workouts today, as @ZachKleinWSB posted. Surprised even some in the building. But he’s there, as his immediate future remains to be determined.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 22, 2025
A lot can be read into a player’s decision to attend — or pass on — a team’s offseason activities. In Cousins’ case, the fact that his attendance has caused such a stir tells a lot about how his situation with the team is viewed. While it shouldn’t be surprising that a 10-year starter would want to fight for his place, it’s widely believed that the veteran’s ship has sailed in Atlanta.
A Possible Ulterior Motive for Cousins’ Appearance
Another possible explanation for Cousins’ attendance, however, is the fact that the team may not want him there. The balance between having a capable backup and one that causes a distraction is difficult to get right. Don’t invest in a good enough backup and pay the price if your starter gets injured, but invest in too good of a backup and he’ll become the elephant in the room if things get rocky.
Given the media fallout that followed the team’s decision to draft Penix in 2024, it’s highly likely that the team will want to be rid of Cousins as soon as possible. Penix, while a controversial pick at the time, could turn out to be a great investment if things go well. If they wish to give the player a fair shot, though, the team can’t have Cousins waiting in the wings for a slip-up.
If Cousins wants to push a move through, casting his shadow over the team’s offseason activities would be a great way to go about it. If he stays at home, the Falcons can get on with things and wait for an offer; if he’s in the facility, though, it creates an awkward atmosphere that the team will need to deal with.
Whatever the reasons for Cousins’ appearance, though, a trade is more likely than not, potentially during the upcoming NFL Draft.