Penix Jr.’s drafting started the clock on Cousins’ tenure in Atlanta, which was seemingly dealt ... And as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, Cousins’ time with the Falcons is expected to come to an end after just one season. “Kirk Cousins' divorce ...

According to a report from Adam Schefter, the Falcons are expected to cut Kirk Cousins before March 17, which is when his $10 million roster bonus kicks in.

Cousins' top suitor is Cleveland, the long-recognized mecca center for all misfit quarterbacks. The Deshaun Watson experiment has been nothing short of a disaster. He has two years remaining on his five-year deal worth $230 million.

Now, mere days after Cousins was sent to the bench, ESPN 's Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons are expected to cut Cousins before a $10 million roster bonus is due in March. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal to join the Falcons this past March, a contract which included $100 million guaranteed.

The Falcons will have to act quick to save money if they decide Michael Penix Jr. is the future at quarterback.

Kirk Cousins ‘ stint in Atlanta will likely last one season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there’s an expectation that the Falcons will cut the veteran quarterback before he’s owed his $10MM roster bonus in mid-March. Some sources described the impending divorce as “inevitable.”

The Falcons drafted Washington standout Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, which was a surprise to Cousins. Penix, who was considered one of the more pro-ready quarterback prospects in the class, will make his first NFL start this Sunday against the New York Giants.

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.

It felt like the writing was on the wall for quarterback Kirk Cousins when the Atlanta Falcons shocked the world in taking QB Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall

The Atlanta Falcons are likely to release Kirk Cousins before mid-March, less than a year after he left the Minnesota Vikings to head to Georgia. ESPN's Adam Sc

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter