As we consider quarterback Kirk Cousins’ future and his highly tradeable $27.5 million salary for 2025, it’s important to remember one thing.

Cousins ​​has a no-trade clause. And he should refuse to give it up.

When he chose the Falcons over the Vikings, he knew Minnesota planned to commit to a one-year deal and draft his eventual replacement. In Atlanta he did not expect that the eighth overall victory would be used by his successor. Even though no one from the Falcons told him an outright lie, there was a degree of dishonesty in that omission.

But hey, it’s just a business. It’s not personal. To which cousins ​​should say “Exactly.”

It’s just business for him to tell the Falcons he won’t waive his no-trade clause under any circumstances. That they have to keep him and pay him or punish him.

They already owe him $27.5 million, on top of the $62.5 million he received for 2024. If he is on the roster for matchday five of the 2025 league year, another $10 million is fully guaranteed in 2026.

Why should he waive the no-trade clause? He will not make more money with a new team than the $27.5 million he is entitled to as a receiver. And his new team would have to give up a draft pick to get him.

Kirk should stand firm, refuse to be traded and either accept $27.5 million not to play (plus another $10 million in 2026 if they don’t cut him) or be released to his next team at the league’s minimum level and the Falcons will stay there for the rest.

Again, it’s just business. And business goes both ways. Teams routinely make smart business decisions about their players. Cousins ​​has made a number of smart business decisions for his teams.

Why should he stop now?