Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March, allowing him to choose where or if he wants to play in 2026, league sources told ESPN.
The Falcons recently restructured Cousins’ contract with the idea that it would be easier for both sides if the four-time Pro Bowler was released sooner rather than later, giving Cousins the optionality that he wanted and adding financial flexibility for Atlanta.
Cousins and the Falcons modified the final two years in his contract, changing his 2026 base salary from $35 million to $2.1 million but adding the leftover $32.9 million to his 2027 base salary to now make it $67.9 million. That $67.9 million would become guaranteed if Cousins remains on the Falcons roster at the start of the league year in mid-March.
Atlanta therefore is expected to release him, allowing Cousins to be a free agent yet again. Few players have fared better in free agency than Cousins, who has landed deals from both the Falcons and Minnesota Vikings in recent years that are virtually fully guaranteed.