The Atlanta Falcons are on track to release Kirk Cousins before the new league year opens on March 13, 2026. They made their intentions clear in January when they restructured his deal, slashing his 2026 base salary to $2.1 million and shifting $32.9 million into 2027.
If Atlanta keeps Cousins on the roster past mid-March, that deferred money locks in fully guaranteed. That decision would saddle the franchise with a $67.9 million commitment.
By moving on now, the Falcons regain cap flexibility. At the same time, Cousins can hit the market as a free agent and choose his next destination at 37.
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Uneven Tenure in Atlanta for Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins never really found steady ground in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons benched him late in 2024 and handed the offense to rookie Michael Penix Jr.. Cousins opened the 2025 season as the backup, watching from the sideline until November, when Penix tore his ACL and went down for the year. That injury pushed Cousins back under center.
He started the final seven games and went 5–3, throwing for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He delivered respectable numbers, but he didn’t erase the uncertainty surrounding his future with the Falcons.
How Kirk Cousins Is Viewed Entering 2026
Cousins still stands among the most efficient passers of his era. He ranks sixth in NFL history in completion percentage and sits comfortably inside the top 20 in career touchdown passes. He has topped 4,000 passing yards seven different times and built a reputation as a system-plus quarterback who runs an offense with precision when the protection holds up.
But the profile has always come with qualifiers. He has faltered in prime-time games, owns just one playoff victory, and lost even more mobility after tearing his Achilles in 2023. His 2025 production, highlighted by a career-worst 61.7 percent completion rate, points to a shift in status. He no longer looks like a long-term franchise pillar. He now profiles more as a high-end veteran bridge option than a centerpiece.
Why the New York Jets Make Sense
The New York Jets look like one of the most intriguing landing spots. They limped to a 3-14 record in 2025, watched the Justin Fields gamble fall apart, and now face another offseason without a clear answer at quarterback. Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are feeling the heat, and Kirk Cousins would bring something this franchise has lacked for years: steadiness under center.
Money won’t be the issue. The Jets are projected to carry roughly $83 million in cap space, which gives them enough flexibility to structure a one-year deal packed with incentives. The supporting cast makes the situation even more appealing.
Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall give the offense real playmaking juice, while young tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou help shore up the protection. Cousins would hand the Jets a dependable veteran while they map out a long-term quarterback plan for the 2027 draft.
Frank Reich’s System and the Cousins Fit
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich runs a quarterback-friendly system that thrives on timing, rhythm, and smart decisions before the snap.
His offenses attack the intermediate levels, lean heavily on play-action, and establish a physical run game to open up explosive shots downfield.
That structure lines up almost perfectly with Kirk Cousins.
Accuracy and timing: Reich’s system depends on precise ball placement, and Cousins still ranks among the league’s most accurate throwers.
Under-center comfort: Cousins has spent much of his career in play-action-heavy schemes, which sit at the heart of Reich’s playbook.
Veteran processing: Reich gives his quarterbacks freedom to read defenses before the snap. With 14 years in the league, Cousins handles that responsibility with ease.
Physical build: At 6-foot-3, Cousins fits the classic pocket-passer mold Reich has consistently preferred.
A Bridge With Real Upside
If this plays out, Cousins would step in as a steady bridge, not the face of the franchise. That’s the reality. But for a Jets team that has cycled through instability at quarterback, simple reliability could go a long way.
A one-year deal in New York would let Cousins walk into a competitive locker room and prove he still belongs, while the Jets buy themselves time to identify and develop their long-term solution. It might raise eyebrows at first, but when you look at the roster and the timeline, it checks out for both sides.
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