It’s the conundrum the Falcons find themselves in this offseason after the team named Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback last December, just 14 games into Cousins's four-year, $180 million contract. The Falcons are moving forward with Penix as their starter. Meanwhile, Cousins has expressed his desire for a starting opportunity.

And there's been no movement in his position since Falcons coach Raheem Morris spoke with reporters at the end of the season, at the NFL combine and again at the annual league meetings: Publicly, Atlanta is comfortable -- if not growing more appealed -- to the idea of Cousins serving as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup quarterback.

They currently possess two starting quarterbacks - although only one is getting paid handsomely, which is the real problem. That, of course, is Kirk Cousins, who is designated to the bench heading into next season.

Head coach Raheem Morris reiterated that Cousins could return as the backup next season but the team is open to exploring a trade if it works for both sides, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. There's been speculation about a deal brewing between the Falcons and the Cleveland Browns,

NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo on Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris revealing quarterback Kirk Cousins will remain on team as backup QB.

The Steelers are a once-proud franchise now scraping the bottom of the barrel with Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins.

Kirk Cousins has told the Atlanta Falcons he wants to be a starter and coach Raheem Morris didn’t rule out a trade while reiterating the team intends to keep him as the backup to Michael Penix Jr. “We still feel very strongly about Kirk being our backup quarterback,

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris isn't shutting the door on a Kirk Cousins trade, but he also believes the veteran quarterback would be willing to remain with the team in a backup role. Speaking to reporters from the NFL league meetings on Tuesday,

One of Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s core principles is to listen. So, when disgruntled quarterback Kirk Cousins wanted to talk, Blank granted him an hour in a phone conversation to discuss his desire to leave the team.