The Athletic's Josh Kendall reports that the Atlanta Falcons have yet to have "any serious trade discussions with another team," regarding quarterback Kirk Cousins ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. Cousins has been the speculation of quarterback-needy teams, although his recent performance in a blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins likely didn't help his case. As it stands, Atlanta is likely to hold both the veteran and second-year pro Michael Penix Jr. (knee). However, Kendall notes that doesn't mean Cousins is a long-term fit for the team. He figures to resume backup duties behind Penix Jr. once the latter is fully recovered from his knee injury. That's likely to change following the 2025 season.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 31 for 173 yards with no touchdowns or no interceptions in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins.

Fantasy Spin: Cousins averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt in his first start since Week 15 of last season for the Falcons. He has just one touchdown pass in his last six starts and shouldn't be a fantasy consideration unless Michael Penix is sidelined and your team needs an emergency starter due to injury or bye.

From TheHuddle

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will get the start in Sunday's meeting with the Dolphins. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was limited during the week because of a bone bruise. Although it appears he's moving in the right direction, potentially returning in Week 9 versus the New England Patriots, he won't be out there in Week 8. As far as Cousins is concerned, he's not getting any younger. However, there's no denying he's had a productive career in the National Football League. The 37-year-old has appeared in 165 regular-season contests, throwing for 43,008 yards, 288 touchdowns, and 126 interceptions while completing 66.9% of his throws. He's also found the end zone 19 times on the run. Cousins has a favorable matchup against a Dolphins defense that hasn't looked the best. While he's still not the safest or trustworthy fantasy option, desperate managers can look his way for streaming purposes, considering the number of injured quarterbacks along with six teams getting the week off for their bye.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is expected to start against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8.

Fantasy Spin: With Michael Penix Jr. sidelined, Cousins will make his first start of the season. With six teams on bye and the Dolphins among the worst teams in the league, Cousins could be a streaming option as a QB2.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins appears 'highly likely' to start Week 8's game versus the Miami Dolphins because QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee, according to multiple sources.

Fantasy Spin: Penix is listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in all three of Atlanta's practice sessions during the week. Meanwhile, Cousins had been working with the first-team offense in case he was called upon to start against Miami. Cousins is worthy of consideration as a starting option in two-quarterback fantasy leagues or as a bye-week replacement because of the favorable matchup, assuming he is named the official starter.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is "highly likely" to start Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Michael Penix (knee) is still recovering from a bone bruise and ceded first-team reps to Cousins at practice this week. The veteran will make his first start since last season, when he completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions before being benched. Turnovers are a real concern with Cousins as he gets ready to lead Atlanta's offense. Fortunately for him, though, Miami has struggled to defend the pass, recording just one interception while allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

From RotoBaller

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Atlanta Falcons have no plans on trading quarterback Kirk Cousins, at least "for now." There are several factors to consider regarding a potential deal involving the signal-caller. He has a no-trade clause. In addition, his hefty contract is something most teams aren't willing (or able) to take on. After Michael Penix Jr. played poorly in the Week 3 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, some believed Cousins would reclaim his spot as the team's starting quarterback. However, that's not the case, with Penix in line to remain under center. Of course, anything could change. With that said, as long as Cousins isn't starting, he's not worth rostering in any format. On the other hand, his fantasy stock could climb significantly if he gets shipped elsewhere and gets a chance to start. Cousins briefly saw some action in Week 3, throwing for 29 yards off 5-for-7 passing.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that the team still has full confidence in quarterback Michael Penix Jr. despite his rough performance in the 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, according to Terrin Waack of AtlantaFalcons.com. The Falcons will not consider veteran backup Kirk Cousins for the starting job. "We're not even close to that with Mike. He had a bad day. We had a bad day. Mike is our quarterback. We got a lot of confidence in Mike. We're moving forward with Mike. Mike's the guy," Morris said. Cousins entered late in the blowout loss on Sunday and went 5-for-7 for 29 yards. The Falcons could quickly change their tune if Penix continues to struggle, but for now, Atlanta will keep Cousins in the backup role going into a Week 4 matchup against the Washington Commanders. It's possible Cousins will be traded, but through three weeks, his trade market has been quiet.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. completed 18-of-36 passes for 172 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, and he ran twice for nine yards. QB Kirk Cousins came on to finish the blowout loss.

Fantasy Spin: Penix had a great opening game, flirting with 300 yards, while throwing for a score, and running for another. However, he has faltered in the past two outings, and he was benched. We'll see if coach Raheim Morris considers making a change under center. Penix is a low-end QB2 in all fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams if he continues to start.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is surprisingly not drawing much interest from around the league. The Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, and San Francisco 49ers are all starting backup quarterbacks, but still no calls for Cousins. Possibly, the Falcons are asking for too much in exchange for Cousins. The 37-year-old does carry a hefty salary, which could be problematic in trade discussions. Regardless, it doesn't sound like anyone has real interest in Cousins right now. That could change if these backup quarterbacks struggle, but for now, there's no reason to roster Cousins in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that "it does not seem" like anyone is trying to call the Atlanta Falcons to try and trade for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins after the first two weeks of the season. The Cincinnati Bengals just lost Joe Burrow (toe) for at least three months, but they have not called anyone and seem content to roll with Jake Browning under center for the time being. Cousins is a proven starting QB in the NFL and has a fully guaranteed $27.5 million salary for the 2025 season. If another team becomes interested in Cousins this year, they will have to pay some of his hefty salary and will have to give up a real draft pick in return. The Falcons are holding all the chips right now and are going to "drive a hard bargain" for any team that comes asking about Cousins. It's possible the Bengals become interested in Cousins if Browning falls flat over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins could be a trade target for the Los Angeles Rams if QB Matthew Stafford (back) continues to deal with a back injury, in the opinion of Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Fantasy Spin: As long as Cousins remains in Atlanta, he is expected to be stuck behind Michael Penix Jr. On the flip side, Cousins would instantly become fantasy relevant if he were to end up starting for the Rams and throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is fully healthy and has been impressive during training camp, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Fantasy Spin: Cousins was coming back from an Achilles rupture and also dealt with an arm injury, but he was good for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns per year prior to the health issues. If a trade lands him back in a starting role in 2025, Cousins could emerge as a solid QB2.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not playing in the team's preseason game on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans, but he is finally healthy again and has been impressive during training camp, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It remains to be seen if Cousins will ever play for the Falcons again, as Michael Penix Jr. is their starter under center moving forward, and Cousins has made it clear that he wants to play in 2025. The Falcons received some calls on the veteran signal-caller in the spring, but nothing worked out. Pelissero says it's possible he could be traded before the Nov. 4 deadline, possibly to a team like the Los Angeles Rams if Matthew Stafford's back issues linger. For now, though, Cousins is the QB2 in Atlanta and will be off the fantasy radar while on the bench. He's making $27.5 million guaranteed in 2025, making him easily the highest-paid backup in the league.

From RotoBaller

7 Tools To Help Build A Winning Fantasy Football Roster Matthew Freedman shares the seven tools that he uses most frequently both in fantasy football content creation and as a player looking to build a winner. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. and QB Kirk Cousins will not play in the preseason game Friday, Aug. 8, according to head coach Raheem Morris.

Fantasy Spin: Penix will be the starting quarterback as long as he is healthy and likely will not see much playing time during the preseason. He can be a No. 2 quarterback in most fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said in an episode of the Netflix series "Quarterback" that he felt "a little bit misled" when the Falcons took Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. It came just after Atlanta signed Cousins to a contract worth at least $100 million guaranteed to be their starter in 2024 and beyond. "I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high," Cousins said. The 36-year-old led the team to a 6-3 start before injuring his right shoulder. After that, the Falcons lost four straight games, with Cousins throwing eight interceptions and no touchdowns in that stretch. He was eventually benched in Week 16 for Penix, who heads into 2025 as the unquestioned starter, with Cousins backing him up. Cousins could get traded during training camp, but for now he's useless in fantasy as a backup.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins said he felt a little 'misled' when the Falcons took QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in the first episode of Netflix's 'Quarterback.' Cousins said he was aware the Falcons might draft a quarterback, but definitely not that high. He wasn't informed about the Penix pick until a phone call by offensive coordinator Zac Robinson while Atlanta was on the clock. 'Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would've affected my decision,' Cousins said on the first episode of the season. 'I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high. But I've also learned in 12 years in this league that you're not entitled to anything. It's all about being able to earn your spot and prove yourself.'

Fantasy Spin: Cousins' best route to fantasy value would be in a different situation as Penix is expected to be the starter. Cousins could have fantasy value if Penix went down to an injury. However, he's in the fantasy purgatory for now.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins reported for mandatory minicamp Tuesday, June 10, according to The Insiders. 'We're moving forward and it's about how we as a team and as a quarterback room can be the best we can be in 2025,' Cousins said.

From TheHuddle

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who skipped out on voluntary organized team activities, is present for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cousins would prefer a trade out of town so that he can have a shot to start somewhere else, but if he remains in Atlanta, he'll open the 2025 season as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup. The Falcons continue to say they plan on keeping Cousins. The 36-year-old four-time Pro Bowler didn't look right in his return from a torn Achilles the year prior, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts before being benched late in the year for the rookie Penix. Now that the Steelers have officially signed Aaron Rodgers, there aren't any obvious landing spots for Cousins. For now, he's stuck in QB purgatory and is off the fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller