FEBRUARY 7: When the Falcons restructured Cousins’ contract a month ago, they set a pretty glaring deadline by which they would need to cut the veteran quarterback. The team shifted $35MM of 2026 base salary to 2027, increasing that year’s base salary to $67.9MM, a number that would become fully guaranteed if Cousins is still on the roster on March 13 of this year. Therefore, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Atlanta is expected to release Cousins before that date.
In speculating on Cousins’ future, Schefter relayed that, while Cousins wants to play next season, the door is open to both retirement and television. Cousins got a bit of experience on the small screen after the season while appearing on CBS’s postseason pregame show, and if he isn’t able to find a quarterback-needy team on which he can make an impact, he may just make the full-time transition to television or could just hang it all up altogether.
JANUARY 30: Though the Falcons hired one of Kirk Cousins‘ former coaches, he is still expected to be on his way out of Atlanta in early March, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
Cousins, 37, worked closely with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski during their shared time in Minnesota. Stefanski was the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach when Cousins signed with the team in 2018 and was promoted to interim offensive coordinator during the season. He held onto the gig for the 2019 season and called plays for Cousins as he passed his way to his second Pro Bowl.
However, their reunion is expected to be extremely short-lived. Cousins’ contract was recently reworked to essentially force his release before the start of free agency. The Falcons would consider re-signing Cousins’ on a cheaper deal than his current contract, but he will likely look for a clearer starting opportunity elsewhere. Michael Penix‘s ongoing recovery from knee surgery could sideline him at the start of the 2026 season, but he is expected to retake the starting job once he is healthy.
If Cousins cannot find a more appealing situation, he may opt for a return to Atlanta to once again work with Stefanski. He would start until Penix comes back on the field, and theoretically, he could play well enough to keep the starting job. That seems unlikely given his performance in the last two years, but perhaps Stefanski could reinvigorate the veteran quarterback.
Stefanski acknowledged his connection with Cousins after he was hired by the Falcons, but did not provide any insight on his future.
“Obviously, I have a previous relationship with Kirk, but I don’t know if it’s the time yet to talk about all those types of things,” Stefanski said (via Kendall). “Those conversations will come in due time.”
Gasp
J.E.T.S.
J.E.T.S.
Lets Go Jets !
Lol
Maybe lmao
Better than any backup or starter Jets have had lately. Sign him.
I wouldn’t, and it had nothing to do with Cousins’ ability. You’re completely correct in saying that he is the best quarterback that they would have had in some time (they had a good year of Rodgers, a good year of Fitzpatrick years before that, and..what before then? Half a year of Favre? Pennington? Does Sanchez count at any point?), but it would be disastrous for them and for Kirk.
He just came off injury with Atlanta, and the Jets have a suspect offensive line, with few skill position players, and no determined offensive scheme yet. Cousins is also 37. It’s just better for him to seek out as much protection as he can. If he can’t get a good line, he at least needs skill position players to keep from having to hold the ball too long. I don’t know if he’ll find that opportunity, but that’s really what he needs. The Jets would have to turn to a backup too quickly if Cousins signs there. But, as always, interest dictates demand…and Cousins is going to have to go with the offers that he receives.
Yup, He really needs to stay in Atlanta! However, they need to upgrade their receivers… how many drops did we see from those duds last season? If Atlanta moves on due to money, then Cousins best landing spot would be MN. I’d like to see him return to Washington as the backup. Their one year wonder didn’t pan out so well his second year.
You like that?
If the Dolphins released Tua, could they get Cousins at an affordable price to compete with Ewers?
No. Dead cap money kills this idea.
Yeah. Fit is there, money not so much.
Steelers.
Was thinking Cards, Dolphins, Steelers, Jets, NO and just maybe Minnesota again.
There’s also the QB collective in Cleveland, why not have 5-6 on the roster.
I said cardinals make a lot of sense only if they move off Kyler.
Cousins will retire before he goes to a bad team.
NO already has their guy in Shough, and I don’t think Arizona or Miami are a fit.
Minnesota would be interesting but I feel like they’re going to give McCarthy every shot.
Steelers or cardinals make sense.
Steelers are bringing back Rodgers
Theres not even any real debate about it after the McCarthy hire
There is debate tho
Id be shocked
No way would McCarthy consider working with the arrogant, pity party Rogers ever again. Rodgers got McCarthy fired in GB.
How does this make sense? Penix has proven nothing but the ability to get injured. I honestly don’t understand the NFL salary cap, is this purely a financial move?
Yes
Penix was a top ten pick though.
So was Josh Rosen. Sometimes you gotta move on.
Ryan Leaf…
Two completely different picks.
Penix didn’t get a full season as a starter and is coming off of a major injury.
Also, Arizona was stupid to give up on Josh Rosen after one year.
Penix was a massive reach
Most people had him as a 2nd round pick
Not after his performance in that bowl game. That cemented him as a first rounder.
And they ended up with 2nd round talent regardless
It was more about the 4 season ending injuries for Penix than talent. That was the entire debate about him in his draft season. Now it’s 5 season ending injuries in 8 seasons including college. He is talented, but unfortunately not available.
He would have been gone last year but it would have cost the team $30 million more to cut him rather than keeping him.
Keep that Steelers’ QB carousel turning for another season…
So the niners got their backup when they trade Mac now
I think Kirk will be moving back to Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy is a bust and KOC knows it.
Back to Minney-Sota
In the Jesse Ventura voice
Up from the Bajaaa
Seriously who would take him? Please don’t come to Cleveland.
We already have drama…
I’m pretty sure plenty of teams would take him without the contract.
Steelers
Jets
Possibly Cards which sends Kyler to Steelers
Lmao nah
I meant the Kyler to steelers part
Cards is a great suggestion
Jets
Flag football greatness awaits!
Cousins has said in the past he doesn’t wanna move his family around what with having kids in school and all. He might simply retire
Will he be able to afford that?
(/s if needed)
They must keep Cousins 1-2 years or Stefanski’s tenure ends there. I don’t think the old man owner cares for Cousins, but I would think Matt Ryan would want to keep him. Stefanski desperately needs him.