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Teams reaching out to the Atlanta Falcons about the availability of quarterback Kirk Cousins in trade talks have informed the front office their asking price is too high, ESPN reports.

Atlanta reportedly has asked teams interested in a deal to absorb $20 million of the $45 million in guarantees Cousins has left on the four-year, $180 million contract he signed in March 2024.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris have said the Falcons are fine holding onto Cousins as the backup to Michael Penix Jr.

Blank said at the NFL annual meeting in Florida that he understands the situation and peripheral concern around paying a longtime starter more than $2 million per month in 2025 to be the No. 2 quarterback. He said he met with Cousins face-to-face to inform him that was the Falcons’ intention.

Cousins turns 37 in August. He holds some of the power in a potential swap because the Falcons gave him a no-trade clause to sign in free agency.

Among the potential landing spots for Cousins are the Minnesota Vikings — as a backup or competitor to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, selected two picks after Penix by the franchise Cousins abandoned in free agency — and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Multiple reports indicate the Cleveland Browns are interested in acquiring Cousins if he becomes available.

The Steelers and Vikings are also the two teams most closely connected to signing free agent Aaron Rodgers.

–Field Level Media