ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta Falcons officially released quarterback Kirk Cousins on Wednesday, marking the end of a tumultuous stint with the organization that was questioned by many when it first began.
New Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham informed Cousins that he would be released on the first day of the new league year a few weeks back, and Wednesday’s move makes it official.
Cousins will be a post-June 1 designation, allowing the Falcons to spread his cap hit over two years.
The Falcons will carry Kirk Cousins’ $24.6 million cap hit until June. After that, the dead cap charge would shift to $22.5 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027, according to Spotrac.
Cousins will now hit the free agency market at 37 years old. He finished his time in Atlanta with a 12–10 record as the team’s starting quarterback, throwing for 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, including a league-leading 16 in 2024.
Cousins originally signed with the Falcons in 2024 on a four-year, $180 million contract that included $100 million guaranteed. Not long after signing Cousins, the Falcons used a first-round pick on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., signaling the franchise’s long-term plans at the position.
Late in the 2024 season, Cousins was benched in favor of Penix. Penix entered last season as the team’s starter but suffered an injury midway through the year, leading to Cousins returning to finish the season as the Falcons posted their eighth consecutive losing campaign.
Penix is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered in November and is expected to miss nine to 12 months. With that uncertainty at quarterback, Atlanta has been linked to Tua Tagovailoa, who was released Monday by the Miami Dolphins.
_Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved._