NW Atlanta News

Falcons owner Arthur Blank and head coach Raheem Morris are faced with a significant decision regarding quarterback Kirk Cousins. During the offseason, Cousins requested to discuss his future with Blank. He expressed his desire to continue as a starting quarterback, acknowledging the substantial investment the franchise has made in him.

"Kirk understands his situation. He understands our own situation," Blank said. The organization remains open to exploring options that could benefit both parties, including the possibility of a trade that could alleviate a $40 million cap hit.

Raheem Morris, while mentioning the backup role Cousins currently holds, noted, "You want to see him go on to be the best version of himself." The possibility of a trade remains, dependent on Cousins waiving his no-trade clause. A trade after June 1 could save the Falcons up to $27.5 million in cap space.

Both Blank and Morris spoke highly of Cousins’ professionalism. Despite the changing circumstances, expectations are that Cousins will handle the situation with maturity.

Blank added, "At the time when we made a commitment to Kirk and Kirk made a commitment to us, circumstances were extraordinarily different than they are today." As discussions continue, Cousins will likely not participate in the upcoming voluntary offseason training program.

Ultimately, both the Falcons and Cousins are working towards a resolution that meets their respective needs. The timeline for such a resolution remains uncertain, as Blank indicated, "Be it pre-draft, draft, post-draft, I don't know, but (Cousins) understands what our needs are, and he understands what we have to do as a franchise."

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