The Falcons say they might keep Cousins as their backup quarterback this season. The rest of the NFL is skeptical.

Over his final five starts, Cousins threw only one touchdown and nine interceptions while the Falcons went just 1-4. He later said he suffered right elbow and right shoulder injur

For the fourth year in a row, the Atlanta Falcons will enter the season with a different starting quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. took over for Kirk Cousins in Week 16 of the 2024 season and the team isn't looking back.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot indicated Tuesday that he would be comfortable keeping Cousins as the NFL’s most expensive backup in the second year of the four-year, $180 million free-agent contract that he signed last offseason.

The Falcons may not trade Kirk Cousins this offseason for financial reasons, which could lead to the quarterback being cut.

Cousins and the Falcons got off to a good start last season, but poor play and injury issues revealed after the fact slowed the quarterback down along with Atlanta's offense. Eventually the Falcons benched Cousins in favor of Penix, but it was too late to make the playoffs.