Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris has revealed that Kirk Cousins is absent from the team’s first day of OTAs on Tuesday.

Cousins is hoping to be traded away this offseason after losing his place as the team’s starting quarterback to Michael Penix Jr. in December. 

The former Minnesota Vikings player only joined the Falcons 12 months ago and signed a huge four-year, $180million contract.

Cousins did surprise some observers last month when he showed up for the first day of the team’s voluntary offseason program.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said then: ‘This is a voluntary thing. Whether a player comes or doesn´t come we have a lot of good professionals who we know are going to take care of their bodies, including Kirk.’

Fontenot has said the team is comfortable in having Cousins, 36, remain with the team as the backup to Penix Jr., the team’s 2024 first-round pick. But Morris said the team is open to listening to trade offers.

Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris has revealed Kirk Cousins is not at the team’s OTAs

Cousins led the Falcons to a 6-3 start last season but lost his job after struggling with interceptions.

Fontenot refuted a report the Falcons were asking any team trading for Cousins to pick up $20 million of his remaining guaranteed salary.

‘We haven’t put a number on it,’ Fontenot said. ‘We wouldn´t share specific conversations, but to answer your question we wouldn´t put a specific number on it.’

The Falcons could have saved a $10m roster bonus by releasing Cousins. Instead, he is guaranteed $27.5m, plus the $10m bonus, in 2025.

The Falcons were 1-2 with Penix as the starter for an 8-9 final record.