Falcons To Release QB Kirk Cousins

ATLANTA, GA — After two years, the Atlanta Falcons have decided to release quarterback Kirk Cousins, the team announced Tuesday.

The news comes amid a shakeup on the Falcons staff that saw Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot being terminated, and former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan named president of football in January.

Newly-hired General Manager Ian Cunningham, in an interview with 92.9 The Game on Tuesday morning, announced the Falcons' intent to separate with Cousins at the start of the new league year on March 11, according to a news release.

Cunningham's decision to release Cousins was "out of respect" for him, the team stated. Cousins will become a free agent, and the team stated it will begin searching for his replacement.

The Falcons snagged Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent six seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl three times, in 2024. The Falcons were hoping Cousins would bring stability to the team as a starter for the 2024 season.

Then, they drafted Michael Penix Jr., who became the squad's backup quarterback, but suffered an ACL injury last season.

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USA Todayreported that contenders to replace Cousins include: Malik Willis, who had a few starting stints with the Green Bay Packers; Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers; Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders; Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Bengals; and Russell Wilson.

Though Cousins shattered Ryan's franchise record for the most passing yards in a single game in the second week of the season, the Falcons said he neglected to complete a touchdown pass in four consecutive games for the first time in his NFL career.

Additionally, the team said he threw four interceptions in a bout against the Los Angeles Chargers, leading to Morris' decision to swap Penix and Cousins to make Penix the starter for the final games.

Cousins' pass completion rate dropped from 66.9 percent thrown for 3,508 yards in 2024 to 61.7 percent thrown for 1,721 yards in 2025. He ended the 2025 season with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions through eight games started and 10 games played.

"I'll keep an open mind," Cousins told Front Office Sports earlier this month regarding his future. "I want to play. I feel really rejuvenated. I think it was great to be able to have a great run down the stretch with the Falcons. Even though we didn't make the playoffs, we were able to win the last four games. (I) really have a joy playing, enjoyed the guys and so want to get back out there and be able to get back at it again."