Kirk Cousins' time in Atlanta will indeed be coming to an end in a couple of weeks.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham told reporters during his Tuesday news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team plans to release the veteran quarterback on March 11.
"I did talk to Kirk and his representation, Mike McCartney, letting them know that we will release him on the first day of the league year," Cunningham said. "We just felt that that was out of respect for Kirk and Mike, his agent, and what's he's done in his career, just that we owe that to him to allow him some clarity going into free agency."
Cousins' impending release from the Falcons doesn't come as a surprise. The two sides recently reworked the four-year, $180 million deal he signed in 2024, and that modification was the first domino to fall as Atlanta looks for some salary-cap flexibility this offseason.
In an appearance on GMFB: Overtime on Feb. 6, Cousins said he was "rejuvenated" after starting the final seven games of the 2025 season for an injured Michael Penix Jr., producing a 5-2 record for the Falcons in that stretch.
Who begins the 2026 season as Atlanta's QB1 is unknown as Penix recovers from a partially torn ACL -- though he is aiming to be ready by Week 1.
Cunningham said on Tuesday that Penix is "where he should be" in the rehab process and that Atlanta is "confident he's on track," per .
Falcons president of football Matt Ryan has not fully committed to Penix for the role even after his recovery, bringing speculation that a change on their outlook at the position could be on the horizon.
One thing's for sure, head coach Kevin Stefanski is set to begin his tenure in Atlanta without a familiar face in Cousins, who earned his second Pro Bowl with the coach as his offensive coordinator in Minnesota.
Approaching a 15th NFL season and his 38th birthday on Aug. 19, Cousins, who has cashed in on several high-price deals, will get another crack at free agency this spring.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: NFL Network and 鶹 will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.
