The Atlanta Falcons have, by far, the most expensive backup quarterback in football.
That's Kirk Cousins' title, probably much sooner than Cousins expected when he signed with the Falcons in the 2024 offseason for four years and $180 million.
But then they drafted Michael Penix Jr., and Cousins struggled, and now it's unquestionably Penix's offense.
There's not much Atlanta can do about it except deal with the hand that they dealt themselves.
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Why is Kirk Cousins the Falcons' backup QB?
Cousins is the Falcons' backup because they decided to commit to a young quarterback not long after they signed Cousins.
They chose Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That was less than two months after Cousins signed his contract.
Cousins started for most of the 2024 season, but by the time he had thrown a league-worst 16 interceptions, it was time for the veteran to take a seat in favor of the future.
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Penix started at the end of last season and performed well enough, especially when he threw the ball down the field, to be the unquestioned starter heading into this season.
Cousins was a cut and trade candidate in the offseason, but it wasn't logical to release him for dead money reasons, and there evidently weren't any major suitors.
He could still be a trade candidate in the weeks to come as QBs get injured. The NFL trade deadline comes in the first week of November.
But for now, Cousins is on the sideline, one injury away from entering the game, but being paid a lot of money to just stand there and look pretty.
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