(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Kirk Cousins soon will get to decide where he wants to play in 2026 — or whether he wants to play at all — as the Atlanta Falcons are expected to part ways with the veteran quarterback before the new league year begins in mid-March, ESPN reported Saturday.
Last month, the 37-year-old Cousins and the Falcons agreed to modify the final two seasons of his four-year, $180 million contract. The adjusted deal gave the Falcons salary-cap flexibility and also set up a decision to be made about Cousins’ future in Atlanta by the third day of the 2026 NFL league year on March 13.
The modified deal reduced his 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. The difference of $32.9 million matches the increase of his 2027 salary.
Cousins, who has a no-trade clause, still has a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus for 2026.
Per ESPN, Cousins has not ruled out playing next season. But if he retires after 14 NFL seasons, he could move over to television after appearing on CBS’ pregame show during this postseason.
The Falcons, meanwhile, have not committed to Michael Penix Jr. as the starter. Penix, who suffered a torn left ACL in November and could need nine to 12 months to recover, said in recent interviews that he expects to be ready for the season opener in September.
Atlanta president of football Matt Ryan said that no position is set, and that the front office would have ‘a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.’
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games (eight starts). Atlanta was 5-3 in Cousins’ starts, including a four-game winning streak to close the season in a three-way tie for the NFC South crown.
Whomever the starting QB is, he will be under the guidance of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was hired last month, along with new general manager Ian Cunningham. Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot were dismissed early last month following a second straight 8-9 campaign.
