Imagine a late-season baseball game, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded. The manager strolls to the mound, signaling for a fresh arm. The crowd groans—not because the reliever lacks talent, but because the move reeks of a rebuild no one saw coming. That’s the vibe swirling around Atlanta’s quarterback room these days. Kirk Cousins, the $180 million gamble, now feels less like an ace and more like a fading fastball in a bullpen hungry for heat.
The Falcons’ QB drama has more twists than a Seinfeld subplot. Remember when Cousins arrived last spring, hailed as the missing piece for a playoff-starved franchise? Fast-forward to December 2024: Atlanta, stuck at 7-7, yanks Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. like pulling a veteran pitcher in a no-hitter. The move backfired—two brutal losses sealed their fate—but Penix’s arm talent left fans buzzing. Now, the Falcons are doubling down on youth, leaving Cousins in a gray area as murky as a Georgia peach cobbler’s bottom crust.
Here’s the news: On April 21, Atlanta signed former Chargers backup Easton Stick, a fifth-round pick with a college résumé sharper than a Waffle House knife. Stick’s arrival isn’t about stats (1,129 yards, 3 TDs in 2023). It’s a chess move. Cousins, who’s skipped voluntary workouts and reportedly wants out, now faces competition from a guy who went 49-3 at North Dakota State. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Falcons signed former Chargers QB Easton Stick.” And just like that, Kirk’s exit strategy just got real. However, Stick isn’t here to start.
He’s insurance—a low-cost arm for offseason drills while Cousins ghosts OTAs. But let’s connect dots. Atlanta’s front office has dangled Cousins in trade talks, asking suitors to swallow $20M of his $45M guarantee. No bites yet. Why? Cousins holds a no-trade clause and turns 37 in August. Teams like Minnesota, Pittsburgh, or Cleveland might call, but only if he greenlights it.Besides, the Falcons’ financial playbook is clear.
Falcons signed former Chargers QB Easton Stick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2025
Cutting Cousins saves $34M—cash they’d rather spend fixing a defense that ranked 23rd in points allowed. Owner Arthur Blank insists they’d be happy keeping Cousins as Penix’s backup. But that’s like storing a Corvette in a garage just to admire its leather seats. Kirk Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, won’t ride pine quietly. Meanwhile, Easton Stick isn’t a household name—yet.
But his college dominance (49 wins, two FCS titles) mirrors legends like Joe Flacco. In L.A., he backed up Justin Herbert, learning from a star who rarely missed snaps. When Herbert broke his finger in 2023, Stick stepped in, throwing zero picks in four starts. The Chargers lost all four, but Stick’s poise impressed.
The stick shift: Atlanta’s new backup plan
For Atlanta, Stick’s role is straightforward: push Emory Jones for QB3 duties… unless Cousins departs. Then, Stick battles Jones for QB2. Either way, Penix remains the crown jewel. The lefty’s 2024 flashes—threaded deep balls, mobility—justified his No. 8 draft slot. But banking on a sophomore QB is risky. Stick’s veteran presence offers a safety net, albeit one stitched with “What ifs?”
Cousins’ camp stays quiet, but whispers suggest he’d welcome a reunion with Minnesota, where rookie J.J. McCarthy needs mentorship. Pittsburgh, desperate for stability, could also call. Yet trading him requires creativity. You don’t pay a guy $45M to hold a clipboard. But absorbing that salary? That’s Moneyball on hard mode.
As Atlanta’s offseason program begins, all eyes linger on Kirk Cousins. Will he report? Demand a trade? Or embrace a backup role, collecting checks like a retired rockstar? The Stick signing nudges him toward the door. But in the NFL, exits are rarely graceful.
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) is interviewed after Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons’ QB carousel spins faster than a Daytona 500 finale. Cousins, once the face of Atlanta’s revival, now feels like a relic in a Penix-centric world. Stick’s arrival isn’t a knockout punch—it’s a jab, testing Kirk’s resolve. Financial pragmatism, youthful ambition, and cold business calculus collide here. As The Wire’s Stringer Bell quipped, “The game is the game.” And in this game, Kirk Cousins’ next move could define his legacy.
Will he fight for his spot, or fade into a pricey footnote? And more importantly—where’s his next snap coming from?
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