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The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly expected to cut quarterback Kirk Cousins prior to his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17, 2025, league sources confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter Saturday (December 21) morning.
"Kirk Cousins' divorce from the Falcons is expected to be finalized before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, with executives across the league fully expecting Atlanta to have to release him by then," Schefter wrote on his X account.
Schefter's report comes less than a year after Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons last March and days after head coach Raheem Morris announced that the veteran quarterback would be benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr.
"After review we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward," head coach Raheem Morris said in the statement shared on the Falcons' website Tuesday (December 17) evening. "This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants."
Morris fielded questions about his potential quarterback decision earlier in the day and reiterated that he wanted to see more from he position. Cousins has gone 7-7 in 14 games as Atlanta's starter, which includes throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, including nine in each of his last five games.
Penix, 24, the Maxwell Award winner, a first-team All-American and the Heisman runner-up in 2023, was selected by the Falcons at No. 8 overall, a move that was criticized at the time given the franchise's expensive investment in Cousins just one month prior. The former Washington standout has thrown for 38 yards on 3 of 5 passing in limited action during his rookie season.