The Atlanta Falcons did not have a good 2025 season, missing the playoffs yet again for the eighth season in a row. They had an 8-9 record in the regular season, and did not impress with their performances, with a -48 point differential.
The fans are disappointed and the franchise is now under pressure to make some huge changes. Ahead of the next season, the Falcons are prepared to make some big moves which involve cutting off one veteran.
General manager Ian Cunningham has confirmed that the Falcons will release quarterback Kirk Cousins on March 11, 2026. It is the official date of the first day of the new NFL league year. The move occurs before a March 13 vesting date that would have guaranteed Cousins $67.9 million for the 2027 season under his restructured contract. This allows the franchise to spread his remaining cap hit over the next two years.
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cunningham was hired on January 29, 2026 to replace the outgoing Terry Fontenot. Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris were both let go right after the regular season ended with the final game on January 4, 2026.
Cunningham confirmed the plans to release Cousins during a February 24, 2026, interview on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta. He [said](https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2026304682788892833?s=20), “We’ve had a good conversation with Kirk the other day, and then Mike, his representation, as well. I let him know that our plan would be to release him on the first day of the league year. The contract structure allowed for that to occur.”
He added, “Out of respect for Kirk and for Michael, we felt like that was the best decision, and the timing was right to let them know our intentions and plan so that they can put a plan together for themselves.” Cousins will therefore have to look for a new franchise soon after his release, after which he will enter free agency.
Cousins was signed in 2024 from the Minnesota Vikings with a four-year, $180 million contract. While the financial aspect was one of the main reasons behind him being let go, his performances were also not satisfactory.
In the two seasons since arriving at the Falcons, he has only played in 24 out of 34 games. He has thrown for 5,229 yards and 28 touchdowns while having 21 interceptions. Both seasons led to the Falcons to back-to-back losing seasons with 8-9 records.
He threw a league-high 16 interceptions in 14 games in the 2024 season. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was often given priority over him at times, and is now expected to be the main quarterback for the 2026 season.
Kirk Cousins’ future franchise is still unknown, but he will have to choose one before the start of the 2026 season.