If you can't understand why spending a late 4th rd pick on a guy that probably upgrades the backup QB spot and MIGHT have a chance as a future starter is less questionable than spending the 8th overall pick of the draft that will be a backup at best for 2 (and perhaps more) seasons, when said team spent 180 mils on a veteran starting QB has a swiss cheese defense and was in position to draft the best defensive player (at whatever position) available then there's not much hope for you in this discussion.
If they had not have signed Cousins, then the move was completely understandable. Or if they had drafted another young QB later, that would have been understandable. What they did was extremely stupid and poor roster management.
Lance is young. If he believes in his ability then he is not going to settle for being a backup! He will go to a team that promises him an open competition. If Lance can't beat out Rush for number 2, then I suppose he might think he is no better than a backup, but in that case, why have him around if he can't beat out Rush?
Remember that with the Cowboys there is no pressure to start Lance like there was with the Niners. Lance did not win the starting job with the Niners, he was handed it.
Have you heard any hint that Jerry is willing to depart with Dak? A rumor, something? Your perspective would make sense if you'd hear Jerry say just one time, "Hey, nobody has a guaranteed job in the NFL. It's about competition." But Jerry does not even hint at the possibility of Lance starting. None of the media do. Not Nick Eatman, not Mickey, nobody.
Okay, maybe Jerry is pulling a "Jimmy Johnson" with Steve Walsh scenario and trying to drive up Dak's trade price so Jerry can get a haul for Dak. I thought about that possibility. But Dak has a no-trade clause, so that puts a monkey wrench into any trade. Plus, when would Dak be traded?
Plus, by not picking up Lance's 5th year option, Lance can force Jerry to franchise tag him, thereby guaranteeing Lance a nice chunk of change and using up the franchise tag on Lance instead of on someone else. And really, how much do you think Jerry would be willing to risk on Trey Lance even if he balls out?
It is different with Penix. Penix is on a rookie contract. Lance can force Jerry's hand. Pay me top dollar or I'll leave. Jerry says, "I'll franchise tag you." Lance says, "cool, Ka Ching"!
The total guaranteed money that Cousins has is 100 million. Spread over 4years.
Signing bonus: $50 million (guaranteed).
Salary guarantees: $90 million spread across 2024 and 2025 seasons (fully guaranteed.
There is an out in Cousins contract after 2026. It would cost them ONLY 12.5 million in dead money!!!
How much does a decent backup veteran cost? Andy Dalton is being paid 4.9 million and he has no more upside. Cooper Rush, who also has zero upside, is being paid 2.8 million.
Penix gives them possible upside for less than 5 million in 2024. If they hit, then Penix could be starting for them in 2027, if not sooner since there is no rule that says Cousins can't be a backup.
Again, Trey Lance is being paid MORE than Penix. It has to do with the slotting. Lance has 5.3 million coming to him in 2024..
Bottom line is Kirk Cousins has won NOTHING and he is 35 years old. He will be 36 in August. I don't blame the Falcons at all for taking a shot.
People are acting as if Cousins is Tom Brady. Like he should be guaranteed a starting job based on winning nothing. That only happens in Dallas.