ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released ahead of the upcoming new league year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The move would allow Cousins to decide whether he wants to continue playing in 2026. The 37-year-old has also explored television opportunities, appearing on CBS’s pregame show during the postseason.

Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered in November and is expected to miss nine to 12 months. Falcons president of football operations Matt Ryan recently said the team will continue evaluating the entire roster, including its quarterback situation.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed in 2024, but the deal has not worked out as planned. He led the league in interceptions and fumbles that season before injuries sidelined him for much of 2025.

The team recently reworked Cousins’ contract, lowering his 2026 salary from $35 million to $2.1 million and rolling the remaining $32.9 million into his 2027 base salary, which now totals $67.9 million. That figure becomes fully guaranteed if Cousins is on the roster at the start of the league year in mid-March.

Now set to enter free agency after two seasons, Cousins posted a 5–3 record as the Falcons’ starting quarterback.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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