Wednesday, March 11, marks the start of the new calendar year in the NFL. After the Falcons announced last week that they’d be releasing Kirk Cousins, according to Adam Schefter, the move was made official on Wednesday afternoon.
The Falcons agreed to terms with Tua Tagovailoa after the Miami Dolphins decided to cut ties with the lefty QB, but Atlanta will still owe Kirk Cousins $10 million this upcoming season. Cousins spent two seasons in Atlanta, but the return the Falcons got was not what they had hoped for when they signed him to a $180 million contract that included $100 million in guarantees. Releasing Kirk Cousins as a post-June designation at the start of the new NFL year will assure they don’t have to pay Cousins beyond this season.
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Kirk Cousins Time with the Falcons
GettyKirk Cousins news is at a fever pitch heading into free agency, and now, the former Vikings quarterback is being linked to a losing franchise.
After Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL during the 2025 season, Kirk Cousins stepped into his shoes after losing the starting job he had the season prior.
Cousins was benched at the end of the 2024 season due to his interception issues. The four-time Pro Bowl QB threw 18 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games during the 2024 season.
Over eight games started in 2025, Cousins was much better, throwing for 10 touchdowns and only five interceptions, but at that point, Atlanta had already been out of playoff contention, and Cousins’ future with the Falcons looked bleak.
It was a botched signing from the jump, but now Cousins will be a free agent who can sign with any NFL team, and like the Tua Tagovailoa situation, a team might want to sign Cousins due to his cheap price tag.
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Kirk Cousins Officially Released by Falcons
The Falcons are moving on from Kirk Cousins, which was expected, but how the Falcons proceed with their quarterback situation is what is at the forefront of most Falcons fans’ minds.
Michael Penix Jr. is the quarterback for now, but while he’s recovering from the torn ACL, Tua will likely step in as the starter.
The Cousins’ release isn’t surprising, and he will likely have a small market as a backup, but it will be for the veteran minimum.
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Falcons Kirk Cousins Decision Made Official on Wednesday