Tua Tagovailoa
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The Dolphins have been linked to Kyler Murray as a potential replacement for Tua Tagovailoa
The Atlanta Falcons didn’t wait long to address their lingering quarterback situation heading into the 2026 season, agreeing to a deal with former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Michael Penix Jr.’s recovery timeline from ACL surgery is still uncertain, which is why the Falcons opted to bring in additional depth. Tagovailoa agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million after being released by the Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Still, former Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins could end up playing a larger role in Atlanta’s financial picture than many expected.
Kirk Cousins Could Still Impact Falcons’ Salary Cap Situation
If and when Cousins signs with another team, it could end up benefiting the Falcons financially.
When Atlanta releases the 37-year-old quarterback, the move will come with a significant cost. The Falcons will take on roughly $35 million in dead cap over the next two seasons as part of his post-June 1 designation, according to Spotrac. In addition, the team is currently responsible for $10 million in salary for the 2026 season.
However, that number could change depending on where Cousins signs next.
SI’s Scott Kennedy noted that if Cousins signs a contract worth at least $10 million elsewhere, the offset language in his deal could essentially cover the Falcons’ entire quarterback room for the upcoming season.
“If Kirk Cousins signs for $10 million or more with another team, the contract offset could pay for the Falcons’ entire QB room in 2026,” Kennedy said.
Penix will be entering the third year of his rookie contract and is set to earn a $1.19 million base salary, along with a $3.365 million signing bonus and a $2.725 million roster bonus.
Tagovailoa, meanwhile, will still receive the majority of his money from the Dolphins, who remain responsible for roughly $54 million after his release. Atlanta will only be paying him $1.3 million.
Combined, Penix and Tagovailoa will count roughly $8.58 million against the Falcons’ books in 2026. If Cousins signs a deal worth $10 million or more with another team, the Falcons could actually end up saving money while still filling out their quarterback room.
Kirk Cousins Facing Increasing Competition in Free Agency
Another potential concern for Cousins is how quickly the quarterback market began moving once legal tampering opened.
Several veteran quarterbacks found new homes within hours of free agency beginning. Former Packers quarterback Malik Willis, for example, signed with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year, $67.5 million deal — effectively filling the spot that might have been available had Tagovailoa stayed in Miami.
Meanwhile, Tagovailoa’s agreement with Atlanta removed any possibility of Cousins returning to the Falcons.
Even with those moves, Cousins still faces competition from other available quarterbacks, including Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jake Browning and even Aaron Rodgers.
At the same time, Cousins is reportedly expected to approach free agency much more cautiously this time around after how things unfolded in Atlanta, according to SI’s Albert Breer.
“The run Cousins got at the end of last year, after Michael Penix Jr. was injured, rekindled his love of football after a rough three-year stretch,” Breer wrote. “He came out of it wanting the challenge of leading a team again, but also hardened a bit by everything that preceded it, from the torn Achilles in 2023 to the ’24 offseason fiasco to his benching later that year, and Atlanta’s decision to hang on to him for ’25.
“So while he wants to find a new home where he can play football again, he’s also leery of how quickly things can change.”