Despite rumors and speculation, Kirk Cousins is not at odds with the Atlanta Falcons. After skipping the team's voluntary OTAs, the Falcons' veteran quarterback expectedly arrived at mandatory minicamp.

The move was “no surprise” to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, who added that the team plans to keep him as a backup. Though believing he is good enough to start, Cousins appears content with the role.

Cousins entered the 2024 season as the team's starter, but lost the job to rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. In the five weeks leading up to his benching, Cousins threw just one touchdown to a whopping nine interceptions. Penix subsequently led the team to a 1-2 finish down the stretch, with both losses coming in overtime.

Despite owing Cousins over $150 million over the next three seasons, the Falcons still view him as a valuable backup to Penix. Atlanta believes in Penix, the No. 9 overall pick in 2024, as its franchise quarterback and has high hopes for his first full season as the starter.

In his three starts as a rookie, Penix threw for 737 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He improved with each outing, ending the season with a career-high 312 passing yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Falcons' quarterback situation with Kirk Cousins

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If the Falcons trade Cousins before the offseason ends, Easton Stick and Emory Jones are their remaining backup options. Stick, who backed up Justin Herbert for four years with the Los Angeles Chargers, would be the favorite to win the job.

While Cousins is easily the most expensive backup in the league, he is the only quarterback on the Falcons' roster with meaningful experience. Throughout the history of the league, most successful young quarterbacks have thrived while sharing a locker room with a veteran.

Atlanta clearly sees Penix as the leader of a new era, but the southpaw comes with minor injury concerns. Penix played just two full seasons in college, both with Washington at the end of his six-year career. Before then, he never played more than six games in a single season through four years with Indiana.