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Reports Reveal the Verdict on Kirk Cousins
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- Reports Reveal the Verdict on Kirk Cousins
Jeffrey Becker
Kirk Cousins may not make it to Year No. 3 in Atlanta unless the powers that be of NFL media have it wrong. The Falcons are set to release Cousins, allowing him to sign anywhere in the league this offseason and probably for cheap.
Reports clarify Cousins's outlook in Atlanta, with release chatter fueling free-agency buzz and a Minnesota subplot.
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Cousins spent 2024 and 2025 in Atlanta, his first destination after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, and the ATL relationship amounted to little.
Cousins' 2025 Outlook in Atlanta Comes into Focus
Cousins eyes free agency — again.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins walks along the sideline during the first half of a preseason matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, with the August 17, 2024 contest offering an early glimpse of his role in Atlanta's offense ahead of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.
Falcons to Release Cousins
It's close to a done deal. Fox Sports reported Thursday , "Cousins' time in Atlanta seems to be nearing its end, as the Falcons are planning to cut the veteran QB, The Athletic reported. The Falcons would be interested in re-signing Cousins on a cheaper contract, per The Athletic's report. Cousins, 37, signed a four-year, $180 million deal to join the Falcons in the 2024 offseason, just months after he tore his Achilles."
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"His tenure in Atlanta began with some promise before getting benched late in the 2024 season in favor of Michael Penix Jr. , who the Falcons selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft . Penix was the Falcons' starting quarterback to open the 2025 season. However, Cousins wound up starting eight games as Penix suffered a season-ending ACL tear in November."
When confirmed, Cousins will have one last chance to latch on somewhere as a team's QB1 — probably in a patchover quarterback capacity — or as a high-end QB2.
The Kevin Stefanski Hire Did Not Save Him, at Least for Now
The Falcons hired Stefanski , formerly of the Vikings from 2006 to 2019, and most interpreted that as a signal that Cousins could stay aboard. Why? Well, Stefanski and Cousins worked together in 2019, with Stefanski as the offensive coordinator and Cousins in his second year with the Vikings. He later accepted a head coaching promotion with the Cleveland Browns, and Minnesota continued its offensive coordinator carousel, a common feature of the Mike Zimmer era.
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This week's news, though, about Cousins's release, obviously points toward an off-ramp. At least for now, the coach-player connection between Stefanski and Cousins didn't amount to much.
Meanwhile, Atlanta will need a competent quarterback this offseason, as there's no guarantee that Penix Jr. will be ready to start the 2026 campaign. In fact, he probably won't be back until October or November.
A Vikings Reunion?
Now, the fun part — for some.
Cousins will find himself in a situation similar to Russell Wilson after his departure from the Denver Broncos. He's already been paid — handsomely — by the Falcons for his service. His next team, in theory, can sign him for cheap and essentially get a free year of quarterbacking. That's contradictory to everything associated with Cousins; his reputation is all about maximizing his pocketbook and then some.
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Needing insurance for J.J. McCarthy, who is apparently injury-prone even if he didn't suffer any major injuries in high school or college, Cousins could find his way back to Minnesota as a trusty backup for McCarthy.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell share a postgame conversation on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium following the December 8, 2024 matchup, a moment that reflected their past working relationship after facing off as opponents during the regular-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
He already knows the offense like the back of his hand, and for the first time ever, Cousins will be cheap. Last offseason, Cousins-to-Vikings made no sense. Too expensive. This go-round, it's not weird. Not one bit.
A Quick Contract Renewal in Atlanta?
Moreover, even if the reporting is accurate about Cousins's release, he could turn around and re-sign with the Falcons. That is — the idea of Cousins playing on a virtually free contract shakes down with his current employer. When Atlanta restructured his deal a few weeks ago, a move that made it easier to cut ties financially, Stefanski wasn't available yet. Now, Stefanski, a coach who cooked with Cousins seven years ago, is in charge, and Cousins remaining in Atlanta just makes sense.
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Somebody will be needed to get Atlanta over the hump of Penix Jr.'s ACL recovery. Why not Cousins?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches from the sideline during second-half action against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the October 2, 2022 game highlighting his in-game demeanor as Cleveland attempted to close out the road matchup in Atlanta. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.
The Athletic 's Josh Kendall on Cousins perhaps re-upping after his release: "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. 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."
"Stefanski was the Vikings' offensive coordinator in 2019 when Cousins had one of his best statistical seasons, but that history might not be enough to keep him in Atlanta."
If so, this week's reporting about his release will be more about financial maneuvering.
