The Big Lead

The Atlanta Falcons officially made one of the worst moves in NFL history

After handing Kirk Cousins a $180 million deal last year, the Falcons now have to live with their awful decision.

By Matt Reed

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) looks to sack Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) looks to sack Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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Last offseason, the Atlanta Falcons made one of the most interesting moves of the year when they acquired Kirk Cousins in free agency for an astounding $180 million. What made that transaction even more astounding was when the Falcons went out and shocked everyone at the NFL Draft when they selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round.

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Fast forward to 2025 and the Falcons are now prepared to eat the money that they have given Cousins, which amounts to over $100 million guaranteed, and make Penix Jr. their starting QB moving forward and Cousins the backup.

Cousins appeared in 14 games for the Falcons a season ago, going 7-7 before Penix Jr. took over during the team's final stretch of games.

While it makes sense in some ways for the Falcons to start thinking about the investment they made in Penix Jr. moving forward, Atlanta handed out one of the largest contracts in NFL history to Cousins less than 12 months ago only to have him serve as second string in 2025.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London hands the ball to Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Dec 29, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) hands the ball to Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) after a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Falcons fans have every reason to be frustrated with the situation as well because the rest of the NFC South is extremely wide open. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found their QB for the immediate future with Baker Mayfield's revival, but Bryce Young has only shown glimpses in Carolina and the New Orleans Saints have proven to be extremely dysfunctional with Derek Carr.

Perhaps it'll still work out for Atlanta with Penix Jr. at the helm, but one way or another the Falcons made a massive mistake in 2024 by giving Cousins a huge deal and now the team has very little cap space to work with heading into this offseason.

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