The Atlanta Falcons made the bold decision to keep Kirk Cousins past the March 17 deadline, triggering a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus for 2026. While this doesn’t necessarily mean the veteran quarterback won’t be traded, it does indicate that Atlanta is holding firm on its stance—for now.
Cousins remains one of the most intriguing trade chips in the NFL, particularly for quarterback-needy teams. The biggest question, however, is what kind of return the Falcons could realistically expect in a deal.
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, league sources have indicated that Atlanta has already received trade inquiries about Cousins, with one potential offer involving a third-round pick.
“I heard talk of a 3rd-round pick being potentially actionable,” Anderson said Tuesday night.
If that offer materializes, it would represent a solid starting point for trade negotiations. The Falcons currently have just five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including No. 15 overall in the first round. Their other selections include a second-round pick (No. 46), a fourth-round pick (No. 118), and two seventh-round picks (Nos. 218 and 242).
Atlanta previously traded away its 2025 third-round pick to the New England Patriots in a deal for Matthew Judon, leaving them without a pick in that round. Additionally, the Falcons forfeited their 2025 fifth-round pick due to an NFL anti-tampering violation involving three free agents last offseason.
Beyond draft capital, the financial aspect of Cousins’ contract could be a key factor in trade discussions. The 36-year-old quarterback is set to earn a base salary of $97.5 million over the next three years, per Spotrac, with an additional $10 million roster bonus due in 2027. Any team acquiring Cousins would likely need to take on a significant portion of that contract, a potential sticking point in negotiations.
MORE: Falcons’ Kirk Cousins decision buys time but could still lead to trade or release
While the Falcons are standing pat for now, the trade chatter surrounding Cousins is far from over. If a team is willing to offer a third-round pick—or more—Atlanta may have a tough decision to make in the coming weeks.
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