Kirk Cousins attends Falcons’ voluntary workouts amid uncertain future

With his future in flux, Kirk Cousins attended the first day of the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason workouts, multiple reports said Tuesday.

The decision came as a surprise, as the Falcons and head coach Raheem Morris expected him to skip out on the voluntary program.

“I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work,” Morris said at the league meeting. “… I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be foolish enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

The veteran quarterback wants to be released to seek a starting job in 2025, but the Falcons may hold onto Cousins as a backup to Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta is also open to listening to offers for Cousins, but reports indicate the team would want any trade partner to take on some of his guaranteed money.

The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed before the 2024 season, then drafted Penix with the eighth overall pick in the draft. They benched Cousins for Penix midway through the 2024 season.

Penix is the team’s No. 1 quarterback entering the new season. The Falcons signed free agent Easton Stick on Monday, and 2024 undrafted free agent Emory Jones is also on the depth chart.