The Atlanta Falcons are prepared to end Kirk Cousins' tenure with the organization.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham announced Tuesday during a radio interview on 92.9 The Game that they plan to release Cousins on March 11, the first day of the new league calendar. Cunningham said he informed the quarterback of the decision, which he made "out of respect" to Cousins and starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins will thus become a free agent in two weeks, adding another starting option to a tepid quarterback market.
Cousins will end rough stint in Atlanta
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Cousins' time in Atlanta didn't quite go the way he or anyone else expected.
The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract after the 2023 season, which ended early when he tore his Achilles. A month after the major acquisition, the franchise surprised everyone by drafting Penix with the No. 8 pick.
Cousins amassed 3,508 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and a career-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts before the Falcons benched him for Penix. The 37-year-old returned to the starting lineup when Penix tore his ACL last November, guiding the Falcons to four straight wins to close the 2025 season.
He still didn't play up to his usual standards, recording an 84.8 quarterback rating with just 6.4 yards per pass attempt. Late winning streak aside, the Falcons have gone eight straight seasons without a playoff appearance.
What's next for Cousins?
The Falcons restructured Cousins' contract in early January, slashing his 2026 base salary from $35 million to $2.1 million. That money transferred to 2027, creating a $67.9 million guarantee that vests on March 13.
No team was likely to absorb that huge contract in a trade, so the arrangement seemed to set the stage for a release. The four-time Pro Bowler can now pick a new landing spot for his 15th season.
"I'll keep an open mind," Cousins told Front Office Sports earlier this month. "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."
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