Kirk Cousins will not be finishing his four-year deal with the Falcons. The veteran quarterback, as confirmed by Atlanta’s general manager Ian Cunningham, is set to be released, ending a complicated chapter that saw him go from franchise cornerstone to second-string backup.

“I did talk to Kirk and his representation, Mike McCartney, letting them know that we will release him on the first day of the league year,” Cunningham said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, and interestingly, NFL insider Adam Schefter’s February 7 had already speculated that such a thing could take place.

“We just felt that was out of respect for Kirk and Mike, his agent, and what he’s done in his career, just that we owe that to him to allow him some clarity going into free agency,” Cunningham added.

The path to Cousins’ release was paved by a mutual restructuring of his four-year, $180 million deal. With two years remaining on the contract, Cousins was set to carry a cap hit of $24.6 million in 2026 and a staggering $90.4 million in 2027. But both sides agreed to reshape the deal rather than let it detonate on the Falcons’ cap books.

The restructure, agreed upon, reduced Cousins’ this year’s base salary from $35 million down to just $2.1 million. That did not alter any of his guaranteed compensation; it simply restructured how the previously negotiated money would be paid out. The remaining $32.9 million shifted into his 2027 compensation. And in exchange, a $67.9 million vesting guarantee for 2027 was added. It is set to trigger if Cousins remains on the roster past March 13. In total, the Falcons owe Kirk Cousins approximately $70 million.

By releasing Cousins before March 13, the franchise can avoid paying the 2027 guarantee.

As a result, the Atlanta Falcons are projected to forfeit about $10 million in salary-cap room in 2026. The tradeoff comes a year later, when they’re expected to open up approximately $77.9 million in cap space for the 2027 season.

For the past two years, Cousins has earned almost $90 million. That includes his signing bonuses plus his base salary for those years. His career earnings sit at approximately $294.2 million, sixth-highest in NFL history. 

But now the veteran quarterback’s days in Atlanta are over, as confirmed by the general manager Ian Cunningham. 

The Kirk Cousins story in Atlanta ended without a Super Bowl

Cousins arrived in Atlanta in 2024 with a clear mandate: lead the Falcons back to relevance. Then Atlanta used the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and Cousins’ future with the team shifted from certain to conditional overnight.

The 2025 season did not resolve that tension. The Falcons finished 8-9, and Cousins posted a 5-3 record as a starter. Later, he ended up being benched in favor of Penix Jr. The message was clear long before it was official. There was no longer a seat at the table for someone who wasn’t the quarterback of the future. So, on February 24, the Falcons made it permanent.​

Now, Cousins turns the page. He will be a free agent this March as one of the most experienced quarterbacks available. A 37-year-old with 174 career games, 44,700 passing yards, and 298 touchdown passes. Several teams will be looking for exactly what he offers: A proven veteran who can stabilize a locker room, mentor a developing quarterback, and win games while the next guy gets ready. 

But beneath all the business of free agency and fresh starts, there is one thing that stings. And it has nothing to do with money. Kirk Cousins has spent his entire career chasing the one thing that has eluded him: a Super Bowl. Whatever team signs him next will be getting a competitor who has everything left to prove, and very little time left to prove it.

Which NFL teams will be interested in Cousins?

New York Jets: The franchise needs a solution at the quarterback position. After a season in which the Justin Fields experiment unraveled, New York heads into 2026 needing, above all else, a steady, dependable presence under center. And Cousins could provide them with temporary relief.

Minnesota Vikings: Ever since Cunningham made it clear that Cousins would no longer be in Atlanta, a possible reunion with the Vikings has intrigued fans. Uncertainty already surrounds quarterback J. J. McCarthy, with concerns tied to both his performance and durability. Adding an experienced name like Kirk Cousins could address multiple objectives at once: add competition for the starting job, serve as a mentor, and offer a credible fallback option if injuries arise.

Las Vegas Raiders: The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to use the No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza. Still, bringing in an experienced presence to share the quarterback room with a rookie should factor into the organization’s blueprint. Few options would make more sense to guide a young, potential franchise signal-caller than Kirk Cousins, who appeared to mesh effectively with Michael Penix Jr. during his time in Atlanta.

Miami Dolphins: The Miami Dolphins enter their first offseason under Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan, facing significant uncertainty, particularly at quarterback. With Tua Tagovailoa’s standing in Miami unsettled, adding an experienced veteran to the room would provide valuable stability.

Fans will have to wait and watch what happens in the next few weeks.