Dynasty News: Week 17

Dynasty News has been a part of Footballguys for well over a decade. Our Jeff Tefertiller combines strategy with relevant NFL news to help dynasty managers excel with their teams. It examines some of the larger happenings of the week from a dynasty perspective. The news may be injury- or performance-related.

Dynasty News: Atlanta QBs

Last Tuesday, Ian Rapoport broke the news about the Atlanta Falcons quarterback change, "The #Falcons are making a major change, as Michael Penix Jr. is expected to take over at QB, with Kirk Cousins going the bench. Atlanta is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and Cousins has struggled mightily. Now, Penix takes over." Tom Pelissero chimed in, "#Falcons coach Raheem Morris: 'After review, we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback moving forward. This was a football decision, and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.'" Pelissero added, "The #Falcons are paying Kirk Cousins $62.5 million this season as part of the four-year, $180M deal he signed in March. He's due $27.5M fully guaranteed in 2025. He also has a no-trade clause. But today's decision makes clear: The Michael Penix Jr. era has begun in Atlanta." He also tweeted, "The #Falcons' options with Kirk Cousins after today's benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr."

• Release him before March 16, 2025 (no-post June 1 designation): They'd still owe him $27.5 million fully guaranteed cash and carry a $65M dead cap hit in 2025.
• Release him before March 16 (post-June 1 designation): Same cash, but they'd spread the dead cap hit over two years: $40M in 2025 (his scheduled number) and $25M in 2026.
• Trade him before June 1, 2025 (which he'd need to agree to): They'd carry a dead cap number of $37.5M in 2025 but save $27.5M in cash and $2.5M in cap.

If Cousins remains on the Atlanta roster as of March 16, another $10M in 2026 would become fully guaranteed -- not impossible, but practically unfathomable after the decision today. Benching him now also avoids a situation where Cousins could get hurt in the final three games and lock in that additional $10M, which is guaranteed for injury. The venerable Andrew Brandt added more context, "Most likely to happen with Cousins:

• He will be released in March with a post-June 1 designation.
• He will make $27.5M next year from the Falcons or another team after making $62.5M this year.
• He will not make $10M guarantee in 2026.
• Falcons will have paid $90M for a partial season."

Adam Schefter agreed with Brandt, "Kirk Cousins' divorce from the Falcons is expected to be finalized before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, with executives across the league fully expecting Atlanta to have to release him by then." The Michael Penix Jr. era has started. He had a great matchup in his first start, but the defenses will be stronger, especially if the Falcons make the playoffs. Penix was shaky against the New York defense. The team that signs Cousins this offseason will give him the league minimum since the Falcons will still pay him the full salary minus the amount his new team gives him. Some are wondering if he will reunite with Kyle Shanahan. No matter what you think of Cousins' 2024 performance, he will have several options for 2025.

Dynasty News: Aaron Rodgers, NY Jets

Last Wednesday, Jets beat reporter Zack Rosenblatt started tongues to wag when he tweeted, "Aaron Rodgers said he'll take some time after the season to decide what he wants to do future-wise 'unless I get released right away.' But even then, he plans on taking some time to decide his NFL future." Later in the week, Rodgers was interviewed on ESPN and said he was open to mentoring a rookie. He said, "When they drafted Jordan, I felt like I was one bad stretch from being benched — and I won MVP a couple of years, so that's the way the league is. You have to prove you can play every single week and through stretches. So if [the Jets] asked me back and they drafted a guy, I'd mentor the hell out of him if I was playing, and I'd try to play as well as I could to keep him on the bench." We expect Rodgers to play in 2025, and this discussion creates a buying opportunity for SuperFlex Dynasty Managers seeking quarterback depth for next season. Given Rodgers' age and mercurial personality, his fantasy managers will not ask for much in return. But the past few weeks have proven that the veteran still has the ability to put up fantasy points.

Dynasty News: Derek Carr, New Orleans

Mike Florio brought up an interesting aspect regarding the Derek Carr injury. Florio indicated in a ProFootballTalk article that Carr's hand injury might prevent the Saints from parting ways with their quarterback due to injury guarantees. Dr. David Chao weighed in and said, "Interesting point. However, not likely that a hand fracture (even if in 2 places) isn't healed in time to pass a March physical." We tend to side with Dr. Chao on this topic, but it is an interesting thought that New Orleans might make a quarterback change in the offseason, especially with the reported weak quarterback rookie class. But, a new coaching staff may want to bring in their own quarterback.