Kirk Cousins, Falcons
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Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins
Once the calendar turns to March 11, the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins will have officially parted ways, with the veteran quarterback set to be released with a post-June 1 designation.
Cousins lasted just two seasons in Atlanta after signing what was initially a four-year, $180 million deal.
Thanks to a mutual restructuring of that contract following the 2025 regular season, the two sides were able to move on, even though the Falcons will absorb a $35 million dead cap hit over the next two years.
Where Cousins ultimately lands next is anyone’s guess, but one prediction has him emerging as a team’s “Plan B” option for the 2026 season.
More on Kirk Cousins: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins May Want $14 Million Commitment From Next Team, PerNFL Insider
Colts Could View Kirk Cousins as ‘Plan B’ Option
Cousins has been floated as a possible option for the Indianapolis Colts, even though the team placed the transition tag on Daniel Jones, worth $37.8 million, for next season, according to Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano.
The expectation in Indianapolis is that Jones will be ready for the start of the season after tearing his Achilles last year. Vacchiano also suggested the Colts could sign veteran Tyrod Taylor as a backup, especially with Anthony Richardson reportedly given permission to seek a trade.
However, there is still concern surrounding Jones’ recovery timeline. If the Colts feel he won’t be ready by Week 1 — or could miss a portion of the season — Cousins could become a logical fallback option.
“If they’re worried about Jones not being ready for the start of the season, or missing a significant chunk of it, they’ll have to do better than Taylor,” Vacchiano wrote. “That’s where the oft-traveled, well-compensated Cousins comes in. He’s not a perfect solution either. But he’ll be a short-term one, maybe even at a minimum salary once the Falcons release him.
“He probably still wants to start, but he’s not likely to be given a clear shot at doing that anywhere else. The Colts might at least be able to entice him with the possibility of a few games.”
Kirk Cousins Expected to Be Patient With Next Move After Falcons History
Playing only a few games likely wouldn’t be the ideal situation for Cousins unless it becomes a last-resort option.
The 37-year-old is expected to approach free agency much more carefully this time around after how things unfolded in Atlanta, where the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. shortly after signing him to be their franchise quarterback.
“A prevailing thought has been that Cousins, clearly feeling burned by the Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr. one month after signing him as their franchise quarterback, doesn’t want to be in the same position again,” CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones wrote.
“That doesn’t mean Cousins will wait until after late April’s draft to sign somewhere, but comforted with his career earnings and the eternal supply-and-demand issue in this league for the position he plays, Cousins may let things play out just a bit before making a move.”
Still, the Colts present an intriguing possibility.
The roster is built to compete in the AFC South and potentially make a playoff push. And if Jones’ recovery from his Achilles injury lingers into the regular season, Indianapolis could find itself in need of a short-term answer at quarterback.
Cousins, ironically, knows exactly how difficult returning from that injury can be. He tore his Achilles during the 2023 season and struggled during 2024 in his first year in Atlanta, which could give him a unique perspective on what Jones might face during his own recovery.