The days of Kirk Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons could be nearing an end. The quarterback recently restructured his contract, giving the Falcons a clear path to release him before the start of the season. Even with Kevin Stefanski now serving as head coach, the veteran is still likely to be on his way out of Atlanta.
Kirk Cousins Set To Be Released in Atlanta, Could Return on a Lesser Contract
Cousins took over as the starter for the remainder of the season following an injury to second-year quarterback Michael Penix. He had several strong performances, and the hiring of Stefanski, with whom Cousins worked in Minnesota, led to speculation about whether he could reclaim the starting job he lost in 2024.
However, according to The Athletic, that outcome appears unlikely. Reporter Josh Kendall wrote in a Thursday column that, despite Stefanski and Matt Ryan now leading the organization, Cousins is still expected to hit the open market before March 13.
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“Quarterback Kirk Cousins has two years remaining on his contract but is expected to be released in early March after Atlanta restructured his contract so that he will be owed $68 million if he’s on the roster March 13,” Kendall wrote. “Cousins could be released and then re-signed if he doesn’t find a better option elsewhere, and the Falcons are interested in bringing him back on a less-expensive contract.”
Cousins became a free agent after the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings and signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in March 2024. It marked the second time he entered free agency and secured a lucrative contract. While that scenario is rare for quarterbacks, Cousins previously did so in 2018 when he signed with Minnesota.
Atlanta’s plans became less clear one month after signing Cousins when the Falcons used the eighth overall pick on Michael Penix. The move immediately sparked controversy, as committing long-term to a quarterback and then selecting another with a top-10 pick appeared contradictory.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, neither quarterback had a standout season. Cousins finished No. 30 in the metric, while Penix ranked No. 31. Penix suffered a partially torn ACL midway through the 2025 season and is currently recovering from the injury.
With Cousins likely to be released because of the $68 million option, Kendall noted that a return on a reduced contract remains possible. Cousins’ familiarity with Stefanski could lead to a quarterback competition, particularly with Penix struggling during his first two seasons.
