Rumors are already circulating that Kirk Cousins ​​could do a one-and-done in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins ​​to be their starting quarterback for the next few years. They then drafted Michael Penix Jr. as a high-level backup who will be their starter in a few years. The plan is clear but some don’t understand it, or they just like to stir the pot.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote a piece titled “Judging the Overreaction to the 2024 NFL Offseason: Signings, Draft” (ESPN+ subscription required) and, unsurprisingly, the Falcons made an appearance in it. He says it’s not an overreaction that the Falcons’ new veteran passer could be fired after just one season.

If there’s one thing we know in this league, it’s that anything can happen. Now, whether or not anything happens is another story. For the Falcons, it’s unlikely they’ll trade Kirk Cousins ​​after just one season, even if he’s struggling a bit.

However, it’s still possible, and Dan Graziano thinks it’s a strong possibility. He believes that if Cousins ​​struggles, media and fan pressure will push the Falcons to trade Kirk Cousins ​​and start their fourth straight season with a new starting quarterback, even knowing that would leave a zero salary cap.

“Trading Cousins ​​would mean a $37.5 million cap hit for 2025, and they would have paid him $62.5 million for one season. That’s not ideal either, but if Atlanta truly believes in Penix and thinks he’s ready by then, it’s not prohibitive.”

– Dan Graziano

After seeing a franchise take a historic $40 million a few years ago, thinking they would take a few million less than that is not out of the question. However, this is a very different situation than it was a few years ago. Terry Fontenot built this team on that historic amount and is at the top of his game. He is not going to look to take $40 million less in the future.

Pressure is another factor that the media has highlighted. Sure, any team is likely to face some peer pressure, but from what we’ve seen from this organization, they’re not going to give in to it. They chose to embrace the pressure that selecting Penix Jr. would bring and they haven’t backed down one bit.

Overall, Kirk Cousins ​​is here to stay for at least two or three seasons. Even if he struggles as a first-year Falcon, the franchise won’t make any hasty decisions like trading him.