Arthur Blank is ready to deal

Saw reports floating around today that the Falcons, who have already stated that a Day 3 pick would not be enough in a trade for maligned QB Kirk Cousins, are also requesting that a potential trade partner pick up $20M of guarantees left on Atlanta's bottom line. So I decided to take a look at his contract to see what that looks like.

Cousins signed a four year, $180M contract with Atlanta, which included $100M in guarantees - mostly his base salaries in 2024 and 2025, and a $50 million signing bonus. Also, there is a $10M roster bonus due on the 5th day of both the 2026 and 2027 league years.

For whomever that would trade for him, the roster bonus in 2026 is already guaranteed. So if they were to elect to cut him after the season, they're still on the hook for it. In addition, $10M of his 2026 salary is guaranteed.

His base salaries by year (guaranteed dollars):

2024: $12.5M ($12.5M)
2025: $27.5M ($27.5M)
2026: $35.0M ($10M)
2027: $35.0M

Putting that in perspective (in a caricature sort of way), a team willing to take him on at a minimum would take on:

$27.5M (guaranteed salary) + $20M (2026 guarantees) + $20M (Blank's bank) = $67.5M

• If cut after 2025, this could easily be considered the highest QB APY in the league (Prescott $60M)

Elect to keep him in 2026, the number climbs by $35M, to $103.5M, or $51.7M APY

• This ranks 10th, just above Hurts ($51M)

Keep him in the final year it's another $45M (w/ $10M roster bonus), to $148.5M, or $49.5M APY

• 11th, above Murray ($46.1M)

So after last year's collapse, Atlanta's offer is for another club to take on more than they will have ever paid him ($42.5M under this proposal) and a Day 2 pick for his age 37+ years.

Of course, no team will be paying this; it's just somebody's idea of starting the bidding high.

Nevertheless... whatchoo talkin' about, Arthur Blank?

 

I don't want this guy. I'll easily take Mason over him.

 

No team is going to trade for Cousins he is completely shot.

 

Oh My Gawd
Holy Jeepers
What are they? F#ckin Nuts!?!?!?

 

Yeah, no thanks on Cousins. He may not be shot, but he came off injury, was mostly bad, terribly overpaid. I'd rather draft and start a rookie than trade for Cousins. I'd only take him if the Falcons sent us a 1st round pick and ate half his remaining contract, and even then not sure i'd want to take the length of that contract on given his age and decline.

I'd rather have starting...in 2025, in this order:

Aaron Rodgers (seemingly less likely by the day)
1st round QB
Rudolph
3rd/4th round QB
Skylar!

 

I would rather wait on Rodgers.

 

Anyone know what Shane Falco is up to these days?

 

I've never been a quarterback before. But how hard can it be? I will work for a lot less. I'll also show up at training camp on time. No drama surrounding me! Lol

 

I'd take him, but not for the price rumored to be.
I thought Minnesota was nuts outbidding themselves to get him from Washington.
I don't think 'he's completely shot' or 'done.' I think he will pass for 4,000 again.
But he just doesn't fit here in Pittsburgh. It's just not a good fit.
Additionally, Pittsburgh has painted themselves into a corner with no one to blame but themselves.
Sure, they are giving the cool answers and making the tough guy gestures.
They are going to draft a QB but it will be later. They are going to sign/trade for one later.
I'm not sure I see Rogers as an option anymore.
I could Mason, Howell, Skylar and a rookie really easy.
I could some QB falling out during the post draft cuts.. one could plug in that name.
But I do feel like Mason will be the opening day QB barring Something unforeseen.

6 picks, 21, 83, 123, 156, 185, 229.
I think the first 2 go OL/DL, RB/CB whatever the best available is at the time.
I doubt any trade ups happen.... and I figure the QB is round 5.

 

If the Falcons cut him I think he would be in the same boat as Russell Wilson was last year, signing a 1 year deal for league minimum as the Falcons would be on the hook for all his guaranteed money.


I don't see Cousins giving anything to Atlanta to help them move him. After the draft last year, it sure sounded like Cousins was blind sided by Atlanta using a 1st round pick on a QB.

 

I would love to see try outside from people off the streets.

By the way it's a lot of work.
Workout is intense
Memory is intense.
Studying game film.
Training with others working out.
Training with others on the plays.
On the days off you're working out and studying your game film.

It's not a constant 8-5 job. It's a full time from rookie camp to the day your team is eliminated. Not a lot of people can do it.

 

Cousins last 5 games he threw 1 TD and 9 picks, he's shot.

 

Some team will talk themselves into believing it was just a slow recovery from the injury, but paying a high price for him would be a huge mistake.

 

I don't agree.
He was pretty banged up. He shouldn't have even been on the field.
But call it as you wish...
Of course the situation is conditional. If Atlanta keeps him, he'll be on the pine as I think they have a QB - it certainly looked like they did.
The other problem is Cost. I can't see any team biting on those parameters.
And if they cut him, I think he might price himself out of a job.

 

I mean for a 3rd round pick and FailClowns eat 3/4 of that contract..... sure I'll do it.

 

When Qb's can't protect themselves from pass rushers they are done.
Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Aaron Dark space they all still coul
throw the ball, they just couldn't get away from the pass rush.

 

Lol. Gotta say, that's the first time I've seen that one.

 

Yep. No upper body strength in those throws. Easy pickins

 

No interest in Cousins he can't avoid the pass rush.

 

I used to live down there.

 

Dag nam, I didn't know it was that bad.

 

Y'all think he fell off or it's where he's playing?

 

#1 - He was never healthy from the Achilles. His throwing motion was way off. He admitted same, I know I saw same so I am sure the staff did.
#2 - Maybe related to the tear, he couldn't run like he has. Sure, he's losing a step.
#3 - He's a pocket passer, that is what he is.
#4 - A new team, new players... not sure if the Offense was really geared to him. There is some adjustment but it is no excuse.

He's in a heck of a hole. I know I had questioned him back in the Washington days about pricing himself out of the market. He pulled it off but now, I doubt any team has interest in what the 'fail clowns' are asking based on age and performance.

If they would take a conditional or if they cut him, I'd take a peek although he is not fitted to this Pittsburgh offense.
Looking around the league I wonder if he fits anywhere?
I'd also bet he prices himself out.

He has a no trade clause, at this point he should void that.

 

Dianna Russini
@DMRussini
The Steelers, Browns and possibly Vikings could be involved in a trade involving Kirk Cousins, sources say. Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given their preference to favor J.J. McCarthy, and Cousins would need to sign off on any deal he's involved in.

https://nytimes.com/athletic/6300515/2025/04/23/nfl-draft-insider-news-shedeur-sanders-giants/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twhq&source=twitterhq