Thanks to the massive contract quarterback Kirk Cousins was given in 2024, he found himself as the NFL’s most highly paid backup during the 2025 season. Ever since the Atlanta Falcons decided to bench Cousins in favor of Michael Penix Jr., speculations have run rampant that the four-time Pro Bowler could seek to play elsewhere or possibly retire.
Is Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Thinking About Retirement As Rumors of His Release Continue to Swirl?
Cousins was originally drafted by the Washington Commanders (then the Redskins) in the fourth round of 2012. The move surprised many because the team had already selected Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick.
He benefited from Griffin’s struggles to stay healthy, giving him opportunities to start. Ultimately, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, and he stayed with them until he signed that massive deal with the Falcons in 2024.
Atlanta shocked Cousins by also drafting Penix that same year without letting him know of their plan. Cousins was eventually replaced by Penix, who was ultimately named the team’s starter. While Cousin’s has been his usual congenial self, he has been honest that he wants to play; the issue is, who can afford to pick him up?
Now, following reports that Cousins is going to be released by the Falcons, NFL insider Adam Schefter appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss what he might do if released.
“Kirk Cousins is expected to be released..
I think he would like to play but he’s gonna consider his options” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/8uCpWoWV7g
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 9, 2026
“Kirk Cousins, he’s expected to be released,” said Schefter on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “They restructured his contract with the idea that he would be released. He will be released before the new league year begins. I think he’d like to play, but he’s going to consider all his options that could include TV, that could include retirement, whatever it is he wants to do, he’ll have the option of doing it, but the Falcons will release him before the start of the new league year, so that will be an option for him.”
McAfee asked Schefter if Cousins could possibly return to the Vikings. Schefter agrees that Minnesota is definitely going to bring in a quarterback, but it’s not clear if either party is interested in a reunion.
“I asked Kirk about Minnesota last week, and I didn’t get a no, but I didn’t get a yes. It’s possible, but there are a lot of things out there that are possible with him,” explained Schefter.
There are a number of teams that might want to consider bringing the 37-year-old in. In 2025, Cousins played in a total of 10 games, starting eight, after Penix was injured. According to PFSN’s QB Impact metric, Cousins earned a grade of C-, with a score of 71.1, ranking him 30th in the league. That was slightly better than Penix’s 70.1, which placed him just below Cousin’s at 31st.
