The Falcons would take on a dead cap hit of $37.5 million while clearing $2.5 million in cap space by trading Cousins before June 1. If the team can wait until after June 1, Atlanta could offload his $27.5 million salary and lower his dead cap to just $12.5 million.

The Atlanta Falcons decided in March to keep quarterback Kirk Cousins on the roster, paying him an additional $10 million and ruling out

After signing a four-year, $180 million last March, Cousins battled highs and lows with the Falcons. He completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Over his final five starts, he threw only one touchdown and nine interceptions while the Falcons went just 1-4.