5 Ironclad Reasons Why Kirk Cousins Must NEVER Waive His No-Trade Clause

The conversation surrounding Kirk Cousins and his future with the Atlanta Falcons has reached a fever pitch, especially as the 2025 NFL season approaches. Despite signing a massive four-year, $180 million contract, the veteran quarterback’s position is anything but certain, particularly given the team's decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. However, the most critical piece of leverage Cousins holds is the ironclad no-trade clause embedded in his deal, a mechanism he must absolutely refuse to waive to protect his career, finances, and family as of December 2025.

The no-trade clause grants Cousins total control over his destination, transforming him from a trade asset into a strategic partner in any potential move. For a player coming off a major injury and carrying a significant financial burden for his team, this contractual protection is not merely a perk—it is an essential shield against being sent to a struggling franchise with a poor roster or an unstable coaching situation. Waiving this clause would be a catastrophic mistake, sacrificing a hard-earned right for an uncertain future.

Kirk Cousins: Biography, Contract, and Career Profile

• Full Name: Kirk Daniel Cousins
• Born: August 19, 1988 (Age 37 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Barrington, Illinois
• College: Michigan State
• NFL Draft: 4th Round, 102nd overall, 2012 (Washington Redskins)
• Current Team: Atlanta Falcons (Signed March 2024)
• Key Career Teams: Washington Redskins/Commanders (2012–2017), Minnesota Vikings (2018–2023), Atlanta Falcons (2024–Present)
• Current Contract: 4-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
• Guarantees: $90 million fully guaranteed.
• 2025 Financials: $27.5 million Base Salary; $40 million Salary Cap Charge.
• Contract Feature: Includes a full No-Trade Clause.
• Key Accomplishment: Multiple Pro Bowl selections.

The Financial Trap: Why Waiving The Clause Costs Millions

The primary reason Kirk Cousins should keep his no-trade clause is purely financial. His contract with the Falcons is structured to maximize his earning power and minimize the team's ability to easily move on from him.

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The $40 Million Cap Hit and Base Salary

In the 2025 season, Cousins is set to carry a massive $40 million cap hit for the Atlanta Falcons, with a $27.5 million base salary. This significant figure is the team's problem, not his. If the Falcons were to trade him, they would still incur a substantial amount of dead money, but the acquiring team would take on the remaining salary. By refusing to waive the clause, Cousins forces the Falcons' General Manager, Terry Fontenot, to either keep him as the starter, or explore a trade to a destination *he* approves, or release him.

A trade to a new team could potentially involve a contract restructure to facilitate the move. If Cousins waives his no-trade clause, he loses his primary leverage in those restructure discussions. He could be forced into a situation where a new team demands a pay cut or unfavorable contract adjustments to make the trade work under their salary cap. Retaining the clause ensures that any new deal must be on his terms, protecting his guaranteed money and future earnings.

Furthermore, the Falcons' investment in Cousins is tied to the contract's structure. If he is traded, the Falcons' financial relief might be minimal compared to the dead cap they absorb. This complexity makes any trade difficult and gives Cousins maximum leverage to dictate the terms of his employment, whether in Atlanta or elsewhere.

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Control Over Coaching and Roster Stability

A no-trade clause is a veteran quarterback’s ultimate tool for controlling his environment. At this stage of his career, Cousins needs a stable, competitive situation to succeed and chase a Super Bowl, not a full-scale rebuild.

The Falcons' current regime, led by Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot, has already created uncertainty by drafting Michael Penix Jr. Waiving the no-trade clause would be an open invitation for the Falcons to ship him to a desperate team with a poor roster, a rookie head coach, or a toxic culture.

Consider the list of teams frequently mentioned in veteran quarterback trade rumors for the 2025 season:

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• New York Giants: Facing a major quarterback reset after the Daniel Jones era, the Giants could be a high-pressure, low-talent situation.
• New York Jets: A team often in flux, potentially needing a new signal-caller if the Aaron Rodgers experiment ends, but with high expectations and media scrutiny.
• Las Vegas Raiders: A team in constant search of stability and a veteran presence, but often lacking a consistent supporting cast.
• Cleveland Browns: A team with a talented roster but a historically volatile quarterback carousel.

By keeping the clause, Cousins can veto any move to a team he deems uncompetitive or unstable. He can demand to be traded only to a legitimate contender that is "one quarterback away," such as the Cincinnati Bengals (if a disaster occurred with Joe Burrow) or the Tennessee Titans (if they sought a major veteran upgrade). This control guarantees he lands in a situation where he can maximize his performance and legacy.

The Michael Penix Jr. Factor and Long-Term Leverage

The presence of Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ first-round pick, is the core reason the trade rumors exist. However, Penix Jr.'s own situation—including a season-ending knee injury in the 2025 season—has thrown the Falcons' quarterback plan into disarray. This instability is Cousins' greatest source of leverage.

Cousins, as the established veteran, can leverage the Falcons' desperation for stability. If Penix Jr. is not ready, or if the team struggles, Cousins becomes the indispensable starter for Head Coach Raheem Morris to save his job. Waiving the no-trade clause would remove this leverage, allowing the Falcons to trade him for draft capital and fully commit to Penix Jr. or another young QB like Shadeur Sanders or Cam Ward in the 2026 Draft, regardless of their readiness.

Cousins' refusal to waive the clause forces the Falcons to treat him as their starter until they are 100% certain of their next move. He can wait until after the NFL Draft or the start of the 2026 Free Agency period to evaluate the landscape. This patient approach prevents him from being "blindsided" by a move, a lesson likely learned from the Falcons' own surprise draft of Penix Jr. His family is settled in the area, and maintaining stability is a key priority, making a forced move to an undesirable location a non-starter.

In conclusion, the no-trade clause is Kirk Cousins' most valuable asset. It is a contractual shield that protects his financial guarantees, ensures he has a voice in his career trajectory, and prevents him from being shunted to a rebuilding team. For a 37-year-old quarterback with a family and a massive contract, maintaining this control is non-negotiable.