Kirk Cousins Reportedly to Be Released by Falcons, What Are QB's Top NFL Landing Spots?

For the second time in the last three years, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to be a free agent.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons are expected to release Cousins before the start of the new league year in March, just two years after he signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the team following his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings.

Schefter reported in December 2024 that the Falcons intended to release Cousins before his $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season became due. The split between Cousins and Atlanta was described by multiple sources as "inevitable," Schefter noted.

However, the Falcons kept Cousins on the roster past the deadline instead of losing him for nothing. Former general manager Terry Fontenot said in a press conference that the team would be "comfortable" with Cousins as their backup quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. in 2025.

The veteran played his part and stepped in after Penix was forced to undergo season-ending surgery for a partially torn ACL, starting eight of his 10 appearances and throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Cousins started 14 games in 2024 before being benched by the Falcons for the remainder of the season. The 37-year-old, who was one year removed from a torn Achilles that limited him to eight games in 2023, finished the season with 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a career-high 16 interceptions.

Things between Cousins and the Falcons got off on the wrong foot before he ever took the field for the team. A month after signing him, Atlanta used the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select Penix without informing Cousins beforehand. During Netflix's Quarterback series, Cousins admitted to feeling "a little bit misled" about the team's plans.

Now, Cousins will be among the top players available on the free-agent market. There are multiple quarterback-needy teams this season that will surely be ready to pursue him in hopes that he can recapture his four-time Pro Bowl form and spearhead a run to the playoffs.

Perhaps the Vikings, New York Jets or Miami Dolphins could look into signing the veteran this offseason.

Minnesota is coming off an underwhelming season with J.J. McCarthy under center, and The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported earlier this month that "one league source speculated that Cousins could be an option there, given his history with Kevin O'Connell and Minnesota's desire to bring in competition for young J.J. McCarthy."

The Jets, meanwhile, don't have a real clear answer with Justin Fields and could very likely be in the market for a new quarterback after failing to land the No. 1 pick in the draft.

As for the Dolphins, they are expected to move on from Tua Tagovailoa after benching him in Week 16 in favor of Quinn Ewers, Schefter reported in December.

Of course, there is always the possibility Cousins retires and pivots to a broadcast role on TV, but it certainly seems like he'll have his fair share of options if he wants to continue his career.