Perhaps the biggest layer is Cousins's no-trade clause. He has the right to waive it and decline trades to other teams, which makes sense for his camp considering a trade would detract assets from his new team. Fontenot said whether the Falcons can adjust Cousins's no-trade clause is a private discussion that will happen in due time.

The Minnesota Vikings dodged the mess that former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins is now navigating with the Atlanta Falco.

The Falcons may look ridiculous for touting Kirk Cousins as a very expensive backup, but that's much smarter than what other teams do with sunk-cost quarterbacks.

Atlanta's pass rush showed life, but the secondary got burned. The pass blocking held up, but Kyle Pitts had another disappointing season.