Kirk Cousins’ training camp presence seen as potential distraction for Falcons, Michael Penix Jr.

Training camp is about to begin for the Atlanta Falcons, along with the 31 other teams in the NFL. But unlike most teams, the Falcons have a unique situation at quarterback.

Atlanta’s quarterback room will be under a microscope this summer — not because of a competition, but because of the circumstances surrounding it. While there’s no real controversy over who will start, the dynamics are far from typical. Head coach Raheem Morris made it clear earlier this offseason that the job belongs to rookie Michael Penix Jr., despite his limited experience.

The issue lies in the $27.5 million backup sitting behind him: Kirk Cousins.

Cousins’ presence — and the salary attached to it — is expected to remain a storyline as long as he’s on the roster. ESPN’s Marc Raimondi recently questioned whether the veteran could be a distraction in camp.

“Is Kirk Cousins' continued presence bad for Michael Penix Jr.'s development?” Raimondi wrote. “Cousins was not released in the offseason, as expected. Instead, he and his $27.5 million contract will be on the bench, behind Penix.

“Cousins struggled beginning in Week 10 last season and Penix took over the starting role for the final three games. The Falcons didn't want to eat all of that dead money by cutting Cousins. But if Penix struggles early, could fans start calling for Cousins to salvage a potential playoff spot? Or could a quarterback somewhere get injured, prompting a Cousins trade? Atlanta has to hope it won't be a distraction in camp when Cousins will lead the second team in practice and perhaps get preseason game reps.”

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In a bizarre reversal of last season’s setup — when Cousins was the starter before Penix took over late — the Falcons may find themselves right back in the same place, only flipped. Penix will be under immense pressure to win immediately. If he falters, the calls for Cousins will grow louder, especially for a franchise that’s desperate to snap a seven-year playoff drought.

Still, Cousins’ presence offers Atlanta something few teams can claim: two quarterbacks capable of starting. But that doesn’t mean it’s ideal.

With few, if any, trade suitors available, the only realistic path to moving Cousins would be a significant injury to a starter elsewhere.

MORE: Titans Will Levis' season-ending injury highlights Falcons' plan to eventually dump Kirk Cousins

“That stinks for Cousins, and the Falcons may not be too thrilled about running out of trade options either,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote. “While Atlanta has said it is ‘comfortable’ keeping Cousins around as its backup, general manager Terry Fontenot can't be eager to hand out a $27.5 million salary to his QB2.”

Cousins, now approaching his 36th birthday, finds himself back in an unfamiliar position as a backup — but possibly the most high-profile one in the league. And as training camp begins, that makes him as much of a headline as the guy he’s backing up.