After spending part of 2025 as a backup, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is expected to hit the open market come the start of the new league year next month. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons are slated to release Cousins ahead of free agency.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March, allowing him to choose where or if he wants to play in 2026, per league sources.https://t.co/4sFE7eCgEo

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2026

Signed to a $180 million deal ahead of the 2024 season, Cousins was initially viewed as a franchise piece for Atlanta to lead a deep playoff run. Instead, he became one of the worst signings in recent memory. The move spelled regret from the get-go. One month after signing Cousins, the Falcons shocked by drafting QB Michael Penix Jr. in the first round.

Coming off a 2023 torn Achilles, Cousins looked robotic and ineffective across 14 starts. He threw just 18 touchdowns and league-leading 16 interceptions while posting just a 6.1 ANY/A. Atlanta benched him for Penix to close out the season.

Despite his heavy contract, the Falcons opted to keep Cousins for all of 2025. He spent it as Penix’s backup until Penix tore his ACL in November. Cousins started eight games but regressed even more, completing under 62 percent of his throws with a 5.7 ANY/A.

With a new regime in place of Kevin Stefanski, Ian Cunningham, and Matt Ryan, the Falcons are officially moving on.

Though Cousins turns 38 in August and is coming off two objectively poor seasons, he may have a market. A weak quarterback free agency and draft class will make him more attractive in 2026 compared to more fertile offseasons. Pittsburgh was rumored to have interest last year, although its own new coaching staff wipes that slate clean.

Still, Mike McCarthy is known as a quarterback whisperer who has seen and coached success of 30-something quarterbacks. Joe Montana returned from a severe elbow injury to make the Pro Bowl in his age-37 1993 campaign. Two years later, Steve Bono had a career year at age-33. In 1998, a 33-year-old Rich Gannon began finding traction after suffering a shoulder injury years before.

Hired by Green Bay in 2006, McCarthy inherited a 37-year-old Brett Favre for his first two seasons, leading the Packers to the NFC Title Game in 2007.

It’s hard to imagine even McCarthy believes in Cousins as a starter. In a battle of the geriatric quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers is clearly a better option. But in a shallow pool, Cousins is at least a name to think about. If not Pittsburgh, he could find work as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. Some even believe a return to Minnesota is in order to either battle or mentor J.J. McCarthy.