Falcons to Release QB Kirk Cousins Before March

The Atlanta Falcons are set to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before the start of the new NFL league year in mid-March, freeing him to explore opportunities with other teams for the 2026 season. The move, reported Saturday by ESPN's Adam Schefter, comes after two tumultuous years for Cousins in Atlanta, where he signed a four-year, $180 million contract prior to the 2024 campaign.

Cousins, now 37, arrived in Atlanta with high expectations following six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he earned three Pro Bowl selections. However, his tenure soured almost immediately when the Falcons used the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select quarterback Michael Penix Jr., signaling a long-term shift at the position. That year, Cousins started 14 games, throwing for 24 touchdowns but also a league-leading 16 interceptions, the most by a Falcons quarterback since 1996. He was benched late in the season as Penix took over.

In 2025, Cousins reclaimed the starting role after Penix suffered an ACL injury. Over 10 games, he went 5-3, completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Falcons won their final four games...