Kirk Cousins Is Officially Finished
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 11. General manager Ian Cunningham said the team plans to release Cousins on the first day of the new league year.
Cunningham shared the news on Tuesday on 92.9 The Game. He said he personally spoke with Cousins and his agent, Mike McCartney. Cunningham explained that the team wanted to give Cousins clear information before free agency starts.
“I did talk to Kirk and his representation, Mike McCartney, letting them know that we will release him on the first day of the league year,” Cunningham said on February 24. “Just felt that that was out of respect for Kirk and Mike, his agent, and what he’s done in his career. I owe that to him. We owe that to him, to allow him some clarity going into free agency.”
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta in March 2024 after playing six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He joined the Falcons after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023. The team wanted a steady quarterback, and Cousins started the 2024 season as QB1.
Kirk Cousins’ Run Never Settled
Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick a month later. The team planned for Penix to learn behind Kirk Cousins.
At first, things looked good. Cousins led a Monday night win in Philadelphia in Week 2. In Week 5, on the night Matt Ryan entered the Falcons Ring of Honor, Cousins threw for 509 yards in an overtime win against Tampa Bay. He set a new franchise record for passing yards in a single game.
But then the season changed. Cousins went four straight games without throwing a touchdown. He also threw four interceptions in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Head coach Raheem Morris later named Penix the starter for the rest of the 2024 season.
GM Ian Cunningham says Falcons plan to release QB Kirk Cousins on first day of new league year. pic.twitter.com/jOcFq85oEW
— NFL (@NFL) February 24, 2026
Cousins finished that year with 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He accepted a backup role entering 2025. “Michael is going to do great,” Cousins said during minicamp. “I’m just here to support him as he needs it.” He added that he still believes he “can be a starter in this league.”
In 2025, Michael Penix Jr. started the season as the team’s main quarterback. However, he injured his knee halfway through the year and could not play again that season.
Cousins stepped back in as the starter. He helped the team win four straight games to end the season. In eight starts, he passed for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Later, Atlanta changed its contract. The team lowered his base salary for 2026 and set up a choice to make before a big guaranteed payment in 2027. Now, the team must decide what to do next.
Cousins addressed his future recently on Radio Row at the Super Bowl.
“I’ll keep an open mind,” he said. “I want to play. I feel really rejuvenated.”
Now he gets that chance. Minnesota needs quarterback competition. Cousins wants to start. Both sides know each other well. Free agency will decide what comes next.
