Atlanta, GA
Falcons Lose 2 Possible Kirk Cousins Trade Partners on Day 3 of NFL Draft
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — A current backup quarterback was traded in the middle of Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, and despite pre-draft speculation, it wasn’t Atlanta Falcons passer Kirk Cousins.
The Seattle Seahawks, who drafted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at No. 92 overall Friday night, dealt Sam Howell and pick No. 172 overall to the Minnesota Vikings for the 142th pick, according to ESPN. Howell is now expected to be Minnesota’s backup to rising second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Two picks later, the Cleveland Browns traded up to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 144 overall. Sanders is the Browns’ second quarterback draftee, joining third-round pick Dillon Gabriel from Oregon.
Cleveland now has five quarterbacks: Sanders, Gabriel and former starters Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. The Browns likely won’t add a sixth.
So, the Vikings and Browns appear out of the market for Cousins. The Athletic insider Dianna Russini reported Wednesday that Minnesota, Cleveland and the Pittsburgh Steelers were the “most likely potential suitors” to land Cousins, who both NFL Network and The Athletic suggested could be moved during the draft.
The Steelers are still waiting on an answer from free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suddenly holds significant power over Cousins’s future. If Rodgers decides he doesn’t want to continue playing, Cousins, who’s considered the next-best available veteran option, could be the apple of Pittsburgh’s proverbial eye.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said in his pre-draft press conference April 23 he couldn’t anticipate whether Atlanta would receive any calls about trading Cousins during the draft, but he’d be willing to listen.
“In reference to Kirk, with any player, like we’ve always said, ‘Hey, look, we’re going to do what’s best for this football team, whether that’s a trade or whatever it is,’” Fontenot said. “And so, we’re open to whatever it is if it’s going to help the team.”
The Falcons have stressed throughout the offseason they’re “comfortable” keeping Cousins as a backup to Michael Penix Jr., the role he held for the final three games of the regular season.
Cousins showed up for the first day of Atlanta’s voluntary offseason program April 22, though he expressed interest earlier this offseason in being traded to a place he can start.
But suddenly, the 36-year-old’s options are dwindling — and the Falcons may be forced to wait until training camp to find a dancing partner.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Police are investigating a shooting near an Atlanta park on Sunday night.
Police say a man was shot at 616 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, which is Rodney Cook Sr. Park in the Vine City neighborhood.
The man’s condition is currently unknown.
This is a developing story. Return to Atlanta News First for updates.
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The Atlanta Falcons are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and they’ll be relying on a new coaching staff to help them get there. But Kevin Stefanski is no rookie; he’s a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, only now he’ll be working with an entirely different group of personnel after coaching in Cleveland since 2020.
In addition to a new coach, the Falcons may have a different starting quarterback as Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab last season’s torn ACL. He’ll also be competing with Tua Tagovailoa. Together, the Falcons believe they can compete for a playoff spot in the NFC South, but to do so, they’ll need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, the Falcons may not have everyone on hand to start the season.
According to The Athletic‘s Falcons insider Josh Kendall, the NFL is “likely” to suspend edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Pearce faces three felony charges after an incident with his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce’s charges are for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police, and resisting arrest with violence.
“Atlanta now appears to be waiting on the NFL to decide on Pearce. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, commissioner Roger Goodell has wide latitude to impose discipline regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. The league is likely to suspend Pearce. Steelers defensive back Cam Sutton was suspended eight games in 2024 after a domestic violence incident that began as a felony charge but was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor. Goodell could also place Pearce on the commissioner’s exempt list, which serves as an indefinite suspension while the league gathers more information.”
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall on James Pearce
Pearce is coming off an excellent rookie season that saw him record a team-high 10.5 sacks while starting three of his 17 appearances. The 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft looks like he’s poised to be a star. Yet, now the 22-year-old may have to wait to start his second NFL season. The question is how long?
If Pearce is forced to miss time, the Falcons will be counting on others, such as fellow 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker, to make a bigger impact. The 22-year-old Walker recorded 5.5 sacks, making nine sacks in 15 appearances.
5 Possible Brendan Sorsby NFL Supplemental Draft Landing Spots for Late July
I’ve also heard that Atlanta sees great value in Swain at No. 23, but the Hawks have been signaling for some time that they are prepared (and perhaps even prefer) to trade their second pick in the first round after No. 8 for future draft capital. It sounds as though Atlanta will invite external trade interest for that pick until it is actually on the clock to make the selection Tuesday night.
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