Changes Ahead for Kirk Cousins and the Falcons
It looks like the nostalgic times Kirk Cousins shared with Kevin Stefanski are coming to an end.
The Atlanta Falcons are set to release Cousins on the first day of the new league year, as confirmed by general manager Ian Cunningham during a radio appearance on 92.9 Atlanta.
“In honor of Kirk and Michael [Penix Jr.], I believe this is the right choice,” Cunningham noted.
This move marks the conclusion of what many consider one of the most regrettable contracts in NFL history. Cousins earned $100 million for just 22 starts, with a record of 12-10, and 28 touchdown passes.
As for financial implications, Cousins has a cap hit of $24.6 million until June. Following that, his dead money will drop to $22.5 million for 2026 and $12.5 million for 2027. If he signs elsewhere for the same amount or more, there’s an offset of $10 million involved.
Cousins made headlines when he signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in March 2024. However, moments later, former Falcons GM Terry Fontenot drafted Michael Penix Jr. as the eighth pick, just before Cousins even got into his first OTAs. That’s got to sting a bit, doesn’t it?
This decision didn’t sit well with Cousins and created a rather awkward dynamic within the team.
Penix Jr. eventually took over Cousins’ position during the 15th game of his rookie season, as Cousins struggled with injuries after a strong start. Consequently, Cousins ended up as the highest-paid backup quarterback in NFL history last season.
With the departure of Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris after the last season, Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski are now in charge. Stefanski had worked closely with Cousins as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during Cousins’ first two seasons with Minnesota.
But, perhaps it’s time for a fresh beginning for everyone. Although the Falcons are expected to add competition for Penix Jr., they need to avoid handing him the job outright after a lackluster 2024 season, especially considering his history of injuries.
At 37, Cousins is likely to be an appealing option for teams looking to make a move in what is otherwise a scarce free-agent quarterback market. Teams like the Steelers, Vikings, and Colts may find him irresistible.
Interestingly, Cousins nearly signed with the Jets back in 2019. But a lot has shifted since then. The Jets, still seeking a reliable starting quarterback (unless they’re planning on sticking with Justin Fields), seem far from the contention they hoped for.
