The Falcons are taking the stance that they’re paying Cousins good money and there’s nothing saying they have to pay him while also making him happy by releasing him and helping another franchise.

Or the Falcons could keep Cousins at the affordable price of $27.5 million for 2025, install him as Penix’s backup, and not sweat the $10 million roster bonus because they’re confident (as they should be) that he’ll make more than that with a new team in 2026, if they cut him before the due date arrives.