A few weeks ago, Kirk Cousins became an issue in the Falcons’ building. Since then, something has dragged out his contract negotiations and plans. After the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr., it was a signal to Cousins that the franchise would move on shortly. And that’s what’s happening right now. Everyone knows the Falcons signed a $180 million contract with the four-time Pro Bowler, guaranteeing a staggering $100 million. Now they want to get out of it. So, the Falcons only have one option.
And that’s what the former NFL GM and executive revealed in his recent analysis. Mike Tannenbaum, who has served the Jets and the Dolphins as general manager, just said, “Have to trade him” when a news anchor asked him about Kirk Cousins’s future with the Falcons. The analyst further added, “The player is playing away from going in at the quarterback position. He doesn’t wanna be there; that’s well-documented. What complicates things here, guys, is guarantees. About 37.5 million dollars left in guarantee, over two years, which is how much he is acquiring teams.” But that’s where the problem starts.
“Have to trade him.”@RealTannenbaum on what the Falcons should do with Kirk Cousins. pic.twitter.com/UEYwXU9uxE
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 1, 2025
The Falcons are already dealing with Cousins’s $37.5 million guaranteed money, but that’s not the real headache. As Mike Tannenbaum said, “The $37.5 guaranteed money gonna be harder to resolve.” At the end of his take, the Falcons GM is struggling with another tough problem, that is, no one is willing to share their sorrow of $37.5 M by inducting Kirk Cousins.
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot just said that the team is “patient” about it and “always open” to it. To elaborate, the GM added, “(I’m) not just talking about Kirk, but really anybody on our roster. I’ve probably already talked to six or seven GMs since the draft ended.” He also said, “They’re talking about their roster, we’re talking about our roster. Because the draft shifts some things in terms of needs and surplus.” But is he talking to the same team that is looking forward to fulfilling their 4-QB plan and adding a veteran?
Maybe he was talking about the other team. But the team that has shown interest in Kirk Cousins in the past week is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rumors say that Mike Tomlin is ready to land the 36-year-old QB.
Mike Tomlin’s Steelers are interested in Kirk Cousins?
“If something comes to us with Kirk or any other player that makes sense and it’s going to help this team, then we’re going to be aggressive and we’re going to do it.” This is what Fontenot said when Mike Tomlin’s Steelers entered the rumor mill. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has reported his view on Mike Tomlin’s team. The reporter has said that the Steelers are looking for Aaron Rodgers to wind up their roster, but Rodgers is taking too much time to make the Steelers’ decision final.
But what if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t make a decision and keeps the Steelers hanging around? According to Breer, “… I’d imagine they’d explore a trade for Kirk Cousins.” As GM Omar Khan has already stated that the Steelers will be looking for four quarterbacks, Cousins will be a tough choice to make to fulfill that dream. Though he was great last season, the $27,500,000 worth base salary and other expenses make the Steelers think.
Kirk Cousins‘s performance was great in the 2024 season. He scored 18 touchdowns after passing for 3,508 yards while completing 303 out of 453 passes. He was sacked just 28 times and threw only 16 interceptions. So, performance-wise, he is there, and there should be no difference of opinion while trading for him. However, the contract numbers are huge. And that’s why the team members are also against Mike Tomlin’s potential decision to trade for Kirk Cousins.
The post Falcons in Trouble With Kirk Cousins’ $37.5M Obligation as Steelers Consider Trade for Ex-Vikings QB appeared first on EssentiallySports.