The NFL scouting combine is underway, and teams are also making roster decisions. Another team has made it clear how they are handling another contract.
The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly set to make a big move on quarterback Kirk Cousins. They have elected to release Cousins with a post-June 1st designation.
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This is a big move as it was hypothesized that Cousins might stay to work with his former offensive coordinator, now Falcons head coach, Kevin Steafanski. Instead, Cousins will be on another roster in 2026 as expected.
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The post-June 1st release will occur at the beginning of the new league year, which is two weeks away. This gives Cousins the ability to find a new team while the Falcons can help with dead-money ramifications.
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The post-June 1st designation allows them $2M in savings this year, according to Over The Cap metrics. Cousins signed a free agent contract early in the process in 2024.
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Things didn’t pan out between the Falcons and Cousins. In 2024, he allegedly wasn’t honest about an injury with the team. He was eventually benched as his performance dipped.
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
He hasn’t looked great ever since, but there is speculation that he will be able to get a starting job elsewhere. How quickly that is, or where that destination could be, will depend on many things.
However, the Minnesota Vikings seem like a strong reunion as JJ McCarthy hasn’t lived up to his draft status. He may also elect to reunite with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco as a backup to Brock Purdy.
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