Last year, Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract with the Raiders contained an option for the team, in case Garoppolo’s foot injury prevented him from passing a physical before the start of the season.
This year, Kirk Cousins explained during his introductory press conference in Atlanta that he had passed a physical for everything except his Achilles injury, and that he would have to pass an Achilles-specific physical later. .
With the Falcons using the eighth overall pick in the draft on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., a question arose in my deteriorating and confused brain. What if the Falcons can avoid Cousins’ contract if he doesn’t pass a physical by a specific deadline?
Unlike the Raiders in 2023, the Falcons have no way out. With one very limited exception.
According to a source with knowledge of the terms, Cousins’ $50 million signing bonus requires passing a physical, but specifically excludes a pre-existing Achilles tendon injury, “as long as the player continues to rehabilitate said injury.” of the right Achilles tendon as required and under supervision. and direction of the Chief Team Physician and the Club’s Head Athletic Trainer.”
As long as Cousins does what the team doctor and head athletic trainer tell him to do regarding the Achilles injury, the Falcons are on the hook for the full $50 million.
Of course, that doesn’t force the Falcons and Cousins to be together indefinitely. With just $27.5 million in salary owed to Cousins in 2025, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a suitor for Cousins if both sides decide to make a clean break after one season. (Cousins has a no-trade clause.) While the dead money fee for a trade before June 1 would be $37.5 million, the Falcons would avoid $37.5 million in additional guarantees for Cousins. Plus, if you think Penix is ready after just one year, the fact that they have their starting quarterback under a rookie contract makes it easier to absorb Cousins’ cap hit.
That said, he will still have been paid $62.5 million for just one season, if he is traded in 2025.
A transaction after 2025 (and before June 1, 2026) would result in a lower capitalization charge of $25 million. Under that scenario, the Falcons will have paid Cousins $90 million over two years.
It all comes down to when they decide to switch to Penix. They have tried to calm the situation by suggesting that Penix could remain dormant for four or five years, which is ridiculous at first glance. The truth is that a move to Penix could happen within a year or two without major contractual complications for the Falcons.
There is also a small chance that the Falcons could trade Cousins before the start of the 2024 season. If Penix turns him on in OTAs, if another team loses a starting quarterback before the regular season begins, and If that team and Cousins decide to join, a trade after June 1, 2024 would have the same cap effect as a trade before June. Oct. 1, 2025. And with $12.5 million of Cousins’ signing bonus due in September 2024 and another $12.5 million due in December 2024, the new team could agree to pay the money.
In 2016, the Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater just before the start of the season. The Eagles, who planned to start Sam Bradford while rookie Carson Wentz sat back and learned, quickly changed plans when the Vikings offered a first- and fourth-round pick for Bradford.
These are not likely outcomes, but they are possible. At least they are not impossible. If Penix quickly proves he can be the guy, there are ways the Falcons can accelerate the timeline for moving from Cousins to Penix.
Penix is clearly the future. The sooner the Falcons can make Penix the present, the better off they will be in the future.