Feb 25, 2026
3 min read
Kirk Cousins will be released by the Atlanta Falcons when the new league year begins, general manager Ian Cunningham told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.
Kirk Cousins' time with the Atlanta Falcons has come to an end.
General manager Ian Cunningham told reporters Tuesday that the team will release the veteran quarterback when the new league year officially begins next month.
Cunningham said he had already informed Cousins of the team's decision.
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"I just thought it was respect for Kirk. What he did in his career, I owe it to him. We owe it to him to make sure that he goes to free agency," Cunningham said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.
Cousins headed to the Falcons two years ago after the Minnesota Vikings decided it was time to draft JJMcCarthy and sign Sam Darnold.Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.
That marriage has fallen apart, however, when, about a month after signing Cousins, the Falcons pulled off the biggest upset of the year in the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.
Cousins struggled in his first season, prompting the team to move to Penix earlier than expected.Penix was the starter this year, while Cousins was the backup.
Penix was injured this season with a partially torn ACL, which limited Cousins to 10 games, starting eight of them.In 24 games under center with the Falcons, Cousins had a 65.0 completion percentage and 28 tackles and 21 interceptions for 5,229 yards.
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Maybe the Falcons aren't worried about Penix's knee, even though it's the third time he's suffered such an injury.
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