The Falcons signed Cousins to a $180 million deal, so parting ways won't be so easy, especially with a no-trade clause.

Per Spotrac, if the Falcons cut Cousins before June 1, they would take on $65 million in dead money on the 2025 salary cap. If they cut him after June 1, that $65 million would be split over the next two years—$40 million of dead money in 2025 and $25 million in '26.

Releasing Cousins would be a major hit to Atlanta’s 2025 salary cap, as he would count for $65 million in dead cap, per Over the Cap. It is very unlikely the Falcons would be willing to take that big of a loss in an outright cut after only having Cousins for just a season.