Falcons expected to release Kirk Cousins
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Atlanta Falcons are getting ready to half methods with quarterback Kirk Cousins on the primary day of the brand new league on March 11, in accordance to basic supervisor Ian Cunningham.
Speaking with 92.9 The Game Tuesday morning, Cunningham stated he spoke with Cousins and his illustration, and the choice was made “out of respect” to each Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., too.
Cousins signed with Atlanta in March 2024 after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the place he was named to the Pro Bowl 3 times. At the time, Cousins was coming off a season-ending Achilles harm that lower his 2023 season brief.
The Falcons wanted stability on the quarterback place, which was one thing Cousins had offered because the beginning quarterback for each the Washington and Minnesota franchises. Cousins was to be the starter in Atlanta for the 2024 season.
A month later, the Falcons drafted Penix No. 8 general with the intention of getting Cousins be the starter for a pair years, permitting Penix to work behind him because the backup quarterback in Atlanta.
The 2024 season acquired off to a sizzling begin for the Falcons and Cousins. He led the workforce to a staple win in Philadelphia on Monday Night Football in Week 2. Then, on the night time Matt Ryan was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor, Cousins threw for 509 yards within the workforce’s Week 5 time beyond regulation win vs. the Buccaneers. Cousins broke Ryan’s earlier franchise file of most passing yards accrued in a single recreation.
Thereafter, although, issues modified.
In the weeks that adopted, Cousins failed to file a landing cross in 4 consecutive video games, which was a career-first for the veteran quarterback. He threw a career-high 4 interceptions within the workforce’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite a win towards the Las Vegas Raiders that snapped Atlanta’s dropping streak, Raheem Morris introduced within the days that adopted that the group would transfer ahead with Penix because the starter for the ultimate video games of the season.
The 2024 season ended with Cousins connecting on 66.9% of his passes thrown for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Cousins’ future in Atlanta was a sizzling matter because the 2025 offseason revealed. Early on, Falcons management expressed the group was comfy transferring ahead with Cousins as Penix’s backup.
Speaking to media when reporting for mandatory minicamp in June, Cousins stated he understands his function as Penix’s backup.
“Michael is going to do great,” Cousins stated. “He’s going to have an amazing profession. He’s off to an amazing begin. He’s acquired all of the tangibles and intangibles you want to achieve success.
“I’m just here to support him as he needs it. But I also don’t need to be in his ear so much that I’m sort of another weight, another voice. I just want to be a support as I can, and he knows that.”
Cousins reiterated — as he did in the course of the season when the choice was made to begin Penix — that he believes he “can be a starter in this league.”
The 2025 season started with Penix, however ended with Cousins as Penix suffered a season-ending knee harm on the midway level of the season. Cousins began the ultimate video games for Atlanta, main the workforce on a four-game win streak to finish the season.
Cousins accomplished 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions by eight video games began and 10 video games performed.
Earlier this offseason, the Falcons and Cousins reached an settlement to restructure their contract. According to reportsthe adjustment didn’t influence any assured cash already owed to Cousins, however it did scale back his 2026 base wage from $35 million to $2.1 million. His 2027 compensation then video games that $32.9-million distinction, making a $67.9 million vesting assure for the 2026 seasons that will lock in March 13, the third day of the 2026 NFL league yr.
Speaking with Front Office Sports on Radio Row at the Super Bowl a couple weeks ago, Cousins mentioned his future.
“I’ll keep an open mind,” he stated. “I want to play. I feel really rejuvenated. I think it was great to be able to have a great run down the stretch with the Falcons. Even though we didn’t make the playoffs, we were able to win the last four games. (I) really have a joy playing, enjoyed the guys, and so want to get back out there and be able to get back at it again.”
Cousins will formally hit the free company market in the beginning of the league yr, whereas the Falcons hit the bottom working seeking quarterbacks to fill the room round Penix in 2026.
