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Kirk Cousins’ time with the Atlanta Falcons is almost over.
The team’s general manager, Ian Cunningham, told reporters Tuesday that the team will release the veteran quarterback when the new league year officially begins next month.
Cunningham said he had already told Cousins about the team’s decision.
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Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
“Just felt it was out of respect for Kirk. What he’s done in his career, I owed it to him. We owed it to him to give him some clarity going into free agency,” Cunningham said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.
Cousins went to the Falcons two years ago after the Minnesota Vikings decided it was time to move on, draft JJ McCarthy and sign Sam Darnold. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
However, the marriage was already soured when, about a month after signing Cousins, the Falcons were the biggest shockers in that year’s NFL Draft, selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.
Cousins struggled in his first season, causing the team to move on to Penix earlier than expected. Penix was then the starter this year, while Cousins was the backup.
Penix was injured this season with a partially torn ACL, which left Cousins playing in 10 games, eight of which he started. In his 24 games under center with the Falcons, Cousins threw 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with a 65.0 completion percentage for 5,229 yards.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Perhaps the Falcons aren’t worried about Penix’s knee, though, even though it’s the third time he’s suffered such an injury.
