Falcons GM: Kirk Cousins is the backup, will remain with team for now
The Kirk Cousins situation with the Atlanta Falcons doesn't have an easy resolution.
Cousins was benched late last season for Michael Penix Jr., and last year's first-round pick showed some good things in his three starts. It seemed obvious by the end of the season but Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot made it clear Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine: Cousins is now the Falcons' backup, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
That's where it might get a little tricky.
Cousins is one year into a four-year, $180 million contract. He has a $10 million bonus that triggers on the fifth day of this league year. He also has a $27.5 million base salary. That's ridiculously expensive for a backup, but the Falcons are maintaining that they're OK with that plan.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/falcons-gm-kirk-cousins-is-the-backup-will-remain-with-team-for-now-153202531.html