Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins surprised Falcons with this unexpected move

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 4:25 PM ET

Kirk Cousins may not be happy with the Atlanta Falcons, but he is clearly not totally on the outs with the organization.

Cousins made an unexpected appearance at the first day of the team’s voluntary workouts on Tuesday. The veteran quarterback showed up despite pushing for a trade from Atlanta after being benched in favor of Michael Penix Jr.

Per NFL League source… On this very first day of Falcons voluntary workouts… Quarterback Kirk Cousins is with the team.
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) April 22, 2025

Falcons coach Raheem Morris had previously said he had no expectation that Cousins would be present for voluntary workouts.

“I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms,” Morris said at league meetings last month, via Marc Raimondi of ESPN . “But I’m not going to be foolish enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

Some veteran quarterbacks do not even show up for voluntary workouts if they are starting, so there was little expectation for Cousins to be there after being benched. He might just be a big team player, or it may be a pressure tactic.

Cousins is entering the second year of a four-year, $180M contract he signed with Atlanta a year ago. That contract, combined with a no-trade clause, is making it very tough for the Falcons to trade him, though there are a few teams thought to be interested.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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