Kirk Cousins’ time in Atlanta is officially over. The Atlanta Falcons’ new general manager, Ian Cunningham, confirmed Tuesday that the 37-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback will be released on March 11, the first day of the 2026 NFL league year.
Cousins will enter free agency after two seasons with the team, during which he earned $100 million of his four-year, $180 million deal. Cunningham made the announcement during an appearance on 92.9 The Game.
What the Contract Restructure Actually Did, and Why It Mattered
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Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The release didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier this offseason, the Falcons and Cousins agreed to restructure the final two years of his deal, shifting $32.9 million into his 2027 base salary. That money would have become fully guaranteed had he remained on the roster past March 13.
Atlanta essentially built its own exit window. Cunningham said, “Obviously, the contract structure allows that to occur.” By releasing Cousins before that vesting date, the Falcons avoid a $67.9 million guaranteed obligation.
The Falcons also plan to designate Cousins as a post-June 1 cut, which spreads the remaining cap hit across two seasons rather than absorbing it all at once.
#Falcons GM Ian Cunningham confirmed on @929TheGame that Kirk Cousins will be released in March on the first day of the new league year, making him a free agent.
Cousins earned $100M during his two seasons with Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/gFKAXXBl8p
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 24, 2026
Michael Penix Jr.’s Uncertain Future Hangs Over Atlanta’s Quarterback Room
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Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The move leaves second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the presumed starter, though his status for Week 1 remains unclear. Penix tore his ACL in November, marking his third such injury since 2018. His recovery timeline puts his opening-day availability in serious question.
Cunningham acknowledged Cousins’ departure was also made “out of respect” to both players. New head coach Kevin Stefanski and president of football operations Matt Ryan, the former Falcons quarterback, have not publicly committed to Penix as the clear starter heading into 2026.
That means Atlanta will likely pursue veteran quarterback depth through free agency or a trade. As for Cousins himself, he told Front Office Sports at Super Bowl Radio Row, “I’ll keep an open mind.” A return to the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent six seasons, is already drawing attention as a real possibility.
At 37, Cousins finished Atlanta’s regular season on a decent note, going 5-2 as a starter in his final seven games. Whether that stretch is enough to attract a starting job somewhere else will shape his market over the next few weeks.