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When the Atlanta Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal during the 2024 NFL offseason, the expectation was that the veteran signal-caller would be the team’s starter for several years.
Instead, Cousins found himself on the bench relatively quickly after signing his big-money deal.
Cousins is serving as Atlanta’s backup quarterback during the 2025 NFL season. The 37-year-old has played sparingly through the team’s first four games, as Raheem Morris and Co. have given 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. a chance to prove himself as the Falcons’ long-term starting quarterback.
Here’s what to know about Cousins’ situation with the Falcons and whether it could change at any point moving forward.
Is Kirk Cousins still on the Falcons?
Yes, Cousins is still on the Falcons. He’s simply the team’s backup quarterback behind Penix and has only played sparingly in relief of him through five weeks.
Why isn’t Kirk Cousins starting?
Cousins isn’t starting for the Falcons in 2025 after he lost his QB1 role at the end of the 2024 NFL season. He was benched for the final three games of the season amid a five-game stretch during which he completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,180 yards, one touchdown and nine interceptions while leading Atlanta to just a 1-4 record.
“After review we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said in a statement at the time. “This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
Penix – who was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – completed 58.1% of his passes for 775 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions over three starts to close the season. The Falcons liked what they saw enough to announce plans to move forward with the Washington product as the team’s starting quarterback.
As a result, Cousins was relegated to the backup role. He has remained there throughout the offseason, as the Falcons held onto him despite trade speculation swirling about the 159-game starter.
Kirk Cousins stats 2025
Cousins’ only action thus far in 2025 came in Atlanta’s Week 3 shutout loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 37-year-old quarterback completed 5 of 7 passes for 29 yards and a 78.9 passer rating at the tail end of the blowout.
After that game, Morris was asked whether Cousins would get a chance to compete for the starting job moving forward.
“No,” Morris told reporters, matter-of-factly, before adding, “The game was out of hand. You know, you move on. Keep ’em out of harm’s way, keep our guys out of harm’s way.”
So barring a change in Morris’ philosophy, an injury to Penix or a trade, Cousins figures to remain in his role as the NFL’s highest-paid backup quarterback.
How much is Kirk Cousins making in 2025?
Cousins is in the second year of the four-year, $180 million contract he signed with the Falcons in 2024 free agency.
The $45 million average annual value (AAV) of Cousins’ contract ranks 14th-highest among quarterbacks league-wide, per Spotrac.com. The veteran passer is carrying a $40 million cap hit in 2025 and is set to make $27.5 million in cash this season, all stemming from his base salary.
Cousins also has a full no-trade clause and can receive a $2 million bonus for earning a Super Bowl win during which he plays at least 50% of the snaps.
Falcons QB depth chart
The Falcons have three quarterbacks in their organization, but just two on their 53-man roster. Below is a look at the unit’s pecking order:
- Michael Penix Jr.
- Kirk Cousins
- Easton Stick (practice squad)
The Falcons also have Feleipe Franks – who played quarterback during his college career at Florida and Arkansas before signing as an undrafted free agent with Atlanta in 2021 – on their roster at tight end. The 27-year-old has only thrown one career pass, which was intercepted.
