Either way, the Falcons appear to be committed to Penix as their No. 1 QB going forward after he closed the regular season with three strong performances as the team’s starter, while Atlanta lost four of Cousins’ five final starts. The team could either trade or release Cousins, who also battled injuries last season.

A blockbuster trade package proposed by Pro Football Focus has the Cleveland Browns as a possible destination for the veteran quarterback. The Falcons are now in a precarious position after Cousins was said to have injured his shoulder and elbow, which led to his second-half collapse and benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix.