Kirk Cousins will be cut by the Atlanta Falcons before his $10million roster bonus kicks in, it has been reported.
Cousins, who had signed a four-year, $180million deal with Atlanta in the offseason, lost his starting job as rookie Michael Penix Jr. was named the team’s No. 1 passer.
And according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cousins will be released before his roster bonus kicks in on March 17.
While a Falcons official told ESPN that it was ‘too early’ to determine Cousins’ fate with the franchise, sources told Schefter that a split between the two parties was ‘inevitable.’
Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract and therefore can reject being sent to another team.
Following the Falcons’ Week 12 bye, Cousins has tossed six interceptions against just one touchdown in three games.
Kirk Cousins’ time with the Atlanta Falcons will reportedly be up before much longer
The move comes as rookie Michael Penix Jr. was named the team’s starter ‘moving forward’
His 16 picks lead the league and he also has 12 fumbles.
The veteran passer was guaranteed $90million at signing, but his time in Atlanta got off to a bizarre start when the franchise selected Penix with the No. 8 pick soon after.
Cousins reportedly did not know the Falcons planned to take the former Washington quarterback until the move was imminent.
Penix, 24, was named the team’s quarterback ‘moving forward’ this week by Falcons coach Raheem Morris.
Atlanta are 7-7 with three games to play and are still alive to make the postseason.
More to follow
