The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly planning to release Kirk Cousins by mid-March. What he does after that remains a big question mark.
The Falcons' expected decision to part ways with Cousins comes after the two sides agreed last month to alter the final two years of the four-year, $180 million deal he signed with the team in 2024.
As Field Yates of ESPN explained, Atlanta changed Cousins' 2026 base salary from $35 million to $2.1 million, moving the $32.9 million difference to his 2027 base salary and increasing it to $67.9 million.
The new 2027 salary would become guaranteed if Cousins remains on the Falcons roster on the third day of the new league year on March 13.
Being released sooner would allow Cousins to have more options regarding what he wants to do with his career. For the Falcons, it gives them cap flexibility.
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Kirk Cousins' NFL Future: New Team, Retirement or TV
Now, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Cousins has a desire to play next season. However, going into television is also in play, especially after his recent stint with CBS during the NFL playoffs.
Retirement is not out of the question for the 37-year-old quarterback either.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic backed the reporting, noting that he "wouldn't be surprised to see him have other opportunities" with teams and TV networks. Lewis added, "It’s my understanding that Kirk Cousins will be open to returning to the Vikings, if genuine interest is there, and if the situation feels right (opportunity wise, more than anything)."
Cousins played in 10 games, including eight starts, in the 2025 season and finished with 1,721 passing yards and 10 touchdowns on a 61.7 pass completion percentage. He started the campaign as a backup to Michael Penix Jr. before a torn ACL sidelined the 25-year-old QB for the rest of the campaign.
It remains to be seen what Cousins will choose to do as he enters free agency. Nonetheless, it won't be a surprise if he searches for a starting role. After all, there are some quarterback-needy teams who might be willing to take a gamble on a four-time Pro Bowler.
Cousins last made the Pro Bowl back in 2022. That season, he recorded 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdowns with a 65.9 pass completion percentage. If he can recapture that form, he'd be a solid option for any team.