In a surprising turn of events, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has acknowledged that the team does not anticipate quarterback Kirk Cousins participating in their offseason workouts. Speaking from the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Morris said, “I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work right now. We’re dealing with a business-type mode right now. I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms.

This raises the question: What does the future hold for Cousins within the organization? The quarterback, who signed a lucrative four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons just last year, has seen his role shift dramatically following the team's decision to draft Michael Penix in the first round. After Week 15, they transitioned their focus from Cousins to Penix, officially handing over starting duties for the 2025 season.

Morris expressed confidence in Cousins' capabilities as a backup, stating, “We invested in Kirk last year in a major way, and right now, we feel really strong about him being our backup quarterback.” However, it seems Cousins has other aspirations. He has made his desire to compete for a starting job very clear, even indicating a possible willingness to waive his no-trade clause—but not until after the NFL draft.

“There is a clear communication from him,” noted Morris. “I do know he would like to try to be a starter at some point. The way to go about that, I’m not sure, but we’ll have to figure those things out.” At 37 years old, Cousins is well aware that his window for competing as a starter is narrowing, and he is determined not to spend the remainder of his career as a backup.

Morris empathizes with Cousins' predicament, emphasizing, “There’s definitely a human side when you want to see him go out and be the best version of himself. This is not a scenario where we’re holding you back if the opportunity presents itself. If it’s something that’s good for both of us—the Falcons and Kirk Cousins—we certainly would like to see that happen.”

As speculation swirls around the possibility of a trade, Falcons fans are left wondering how this situation will unfold. Will Cousins find a new team where he can pursue a starting role, or will he remain in Atlanta as a backup, navigating a complex transition with the franchise? Only time will tell as the NFL draft approaches and the offseason continues to unfold.

Stay tuned for more updates on this intriguing situation that could reshape the Falcons' quarterback landscape!