Falcons to cut $180m Kirk Cousins after a disastrous two seasons... but he could stay in Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release $180million quarterback Kirk Cousins in March. However, there is reportedly a chance he ends up eventually returning.
The 37-year-old signal caller was signed to a mammoth four-year, $180m deal before the 2024 season after leaving the Minnesota Vikings.
But despite committing so much money to Cousins, the Falcons bizarrely drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
After a slow start to life in Atlanta under head coach Raheem Morris, Cousins was benched for Penix Jr. late in the 2024 season. But this time around, Cousins replaced Penix and led the Falcons to four straight wins to close out the 2025 campaign.
Since then, it has been an offseason of change for the Falcons with Kevin Stefanski hired to replace Morris as head coach. But the future of Cousins remains unclear and The Athletic now reports that Atlanta could bring him back if he can't find a better fit.
Cousins' contract was also restructured early this month, showing the Falcons don't want to pay him what he's due. But a return on a cheaper deal for Cousins may be attractive to the Falcons' front office.
The Atlanta Falconsare expected to release $180million quarterback Kirk Cousins in March
But Cousins, pictured with wife Julie and sons Cooper and Turner, could return as back up
It remains to be seen what options Cousins has elsewhere in the NFL. There are questions at quarterback for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.
Stefanski and Cousins worked together with the Vikings when he was Minnesota's quarterbacks coach in 2018 and its offensive coordinator the following season.
The Vikings' productive offense with Cousins under center helped Stefanski land the Browns' head coaching job in 2020.
But during his unveiling this week, while acknowledging his relationship with Cousins, Stefanski declined to address the veteran's future.
'Obviously, I have a previous relationship with Kirk, but I don't know if it's the time yet to talk about all those types of things,' he said. 'Those conversations will come in due time.'
