Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​may have lost his job. But unfortunately for the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins ​​still has a lot of influence over what his future will hold.

Or so NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero argued this week.

Pelissero compared Cousins’ current situation with the Falcons to Russell Wilson’s previous contract with the Denver Broncos.

“You may remember a year ago when we were talking about a former Pro Bowl quarterback being benched in his mid-30s despite still having a bunch of fully guaranteed money and a no-trade clause in him his contract. said Pelissero. “At this point, Kirk Cousins ​​can only hope that his career follows the path of Russell Wilson from this point on.”

Looking back, Wilson played much better last year than Cousins ​​did this season. Wilson threw 26 touchdowns versus 8 interceptions with the Broncos in 2023. Cousins ​​has more interceptions (9) in his last five starts with the Falcons than Wilson did in the entire 2023 season.

But the stories are similar. A year ago, Wilson appeared “over the hill” after two disappointing seasons with the Broncos.

Yes, he got another chance to start this season. But the Broncos had to release Wilson, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were then able to sign him to a league minimum contract because Denver was already paying him through the 2024 season.

Cousins ​​could take the same route. His contract contains a no-trade clause that Pelissero said will make Atlanta’s efforts to trade Cousins ​​”complicated.”

Additionally, if Cousins ​​is on Atlanta’s roster on March 26, he will receive another $10 million fully guaranteed. As it stands, the Falcons will pay him a fully guaranteed salary of $27.5 million in 2025.

Pelissero said the Falcons will most likely release Cousins ​​between March 12 and March 15. That will allow them to consider releasing Cousins ​​after June 1, which will spread his $65 million dead cap hit over the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Cousins ​​could then sign a veteran minimum contract to make him a more attractive option in free agency. That’s what Wilson did with the Steelers.

Falcons fans are probably hoping another team is desperate enough at quarterback to trade for Cousins. At least then the Falcons could get something in return for the disaster that was signing the veteran signal-caller.

Yes, Cousins ​​could get another starting opportunity in 2025. The possibility is even likely considering some of the worst teams in the league play quarterback.

But Pelissero predicted that opportunity would come after Cousins ​​signed as a free agent, rather than through a trade from the Falcons.