The Atlanta Falcons informed Kirk Cousins that they plan to release him on the first day of the league year. The first day of the league year is March 11. The previous Falcons regime restructured Cousins’ contract, guaranteeing $67.9 million for 2027, a figure that would have vested March 13. That wrinkle made Cousins being cut likely. The restructuring reduced Cousins’ 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to $2.1 million. If the Falcons release Cousins next month with a June 1st designation, they would save $2.1 million in salary cap. The dead money would be $22.5 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027, per Spotrac. Cousins was a big free agent pickup back in 2024. The Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just six weeks after signing him, which took Cousins by surprise.
Cousins led the Falcons to a 6-3 start in 2024 before an arm injury hampered his performance. He went on a stretch of five games with nine interceptions. The Falcons benched Cousins in Week 16, committing to Penix as the quarterback of the present and future. Cousins returned healthy in 2025, but Atlanta was already committed to Penix as their quarterback. But Penix tore his left ACL in Week 11, and Cousins started the rest of the way, including a four-game winning streak to close the season. The Falcons record in Cousins’ starts was 5-3 and their record in Penix’s starts was 3-6. In 2025, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. Will Kirk Cousins play next season? If so, where do you think Cousins will play? Check out 6 potential landing spots for Kirk Cousins.
Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings and signed with the Atlanta Falcons two years ago. Could both sides work together and reunite a couple of years later? Minnesota will look to have a veteran to compete with J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy has dealt with his fair share of injuries since being drafted by Minnesota. The Vikings could be a playoff team with even a minor upgrade at the quarterback position. Cousins isn’t the Pro Bowl-caliber QB he used to be, but an argument could be made that he’s still better than McCarthy. The Vikings will most likely not bring back Carson Wentz, so a Cousins reunion could happen.
New York Jets
The New York Jets would be my second potential landing spot for Kirk Cousins. New York needs a quarterback badly, but they do have the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft. After Fernando Mendoza, there’s not a quarterback you would take that high in the draft. With over $83 million in cap space this offseason, the Jets have more financial flexibility than any QB-needy team. They’d be able to afford Cousins as a stopgap option, potentially take a chance on a quarterback on Day 2, or just wait until 2027 altogether to draft their long-term piece. The Jets could also make a run at Malik Willis to fill that quarterback position.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Geno Smith experiment didn’t work for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders traded for Smith after hiring Pete Carroll as their new coach. Las Vegas has the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and is expected to take Fernando Mendonza. Kirk Cousins could serve as a mentor for Mendoza. Mendoza plays similar as Cousins, and this could be a win-win situation for both.
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray is expected to be released or traded from the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona could choose to bring back Jacoby Brissett since he played well a season ago. New Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur was previously the offensive coordinator for the Rams under Sean McVay. McVay was the offensive coordinator in Washington from 2014 to 216 where Cousins was the quarterback. Cousins would do well throwing to guys like Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are my final team on the landing spots for Kirk Cousins. Mike Tomlin resigned and they hired Mike McCarthy to take his place. Aaron Rodgers could return to the Steelers if he decides to play football again. There’s a chance Mike McCarthy might not need to find a replacement for the quarterback he won a Super Bowl with in. Cousins worked under Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator, Brian Angelichio, in Minnesota when the latter was the Vikings’ passing game coordinator.
Retirement or Broadcasting
Cousins have mentioned that he would like to play again next season. He will be 38 years old this season and has never been the most mobile quarterback. Cousins is still a quality quarterback, and he showed that after relieving Penix. If Cousins don’t get the opportunity he wants, retirement could be the choice. Kirk Cousins has shown that he’d do great as a broadcaster or anything related to media.
Where do you see Kirk Cousins playing next season? Where would you like to see Cousins play next season? Should he opt for retirement? Leave some feedback below.
