NFL Execs Make Bold Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts Predictions for Falcons Ahead of 2026 Free Agency

The Atlanta Falcons are entering a new era, with new President of Football Operations Matt Ryan, head coach Kevin Stefanski and a to-be-determined general manager. They have some decisions to make on a few players on last season's roster, including quarterback Kirk Cousins and tight end Kyle Pitts.

Cousins could be released before the new league year begins on March 13, and Pitts is entering free agency. However, executives could see them both returning to Atlanta, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"[The Falcons] bet on [2025 starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.] not getting hurt, and he got hurt," an NFC executive told Fowler regarding Cousins. Penix had the ACL in his left knee repaired in November, his fifth major surgery dating back to college.

"They are going to need somebody early in the season due to the injury, and Cousins played OK for them late last year. It seems Cousins has always respected Kevin. Both sides have a decent option in their back pockets."

One AFC executive told Fowler that he thinks Pitts could return.

"The number is reasonable and is a good basis for a long-term deal for him," the exec told Fowler. "Not sure what they do with Drake London but keeping Pitts seems like a good move at this stage."

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024 with designs to be the team's QB1. However, he was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, late in the 2024 season. Penix was the team's starter for much of 2025 but suffered a season-ending torn ACL in November. Cousins took over down the stretch.

The Falcons restructured Cousins' deal earlier in January, and in short, it sets up the possibility that he's released before the new league year starts on March 13. However, it's conceivable that he could return.

Meanwhile, Pitts enjoyed a breakout season for the Falcons, catching 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns. That included an incredible late-season four-game stretch where he had 31 catches for 395 yards and four scores (11/166/3 alone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 11).

The executive also made reference to Atlanta No. 1 wideout Drake London, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. London has posted a per-17 game average of 85 catches, 1,086 yards and six touchdowns over his four-year career. Naturally, one can surmise the Falcons would want him back on a long-term deal.

Atlanta hasn't made the playoffs since 2017, and that year also marks the last time the Falcons had a winning record. Atlanta doesn't seem all that far off from breaking the playoff slump.

The NFC South is there for the taking, with the Carolina Panthers winning the division on a three-way tiebreaker with the Bucs and Falcons at 8-9. We'll see what the Falcons decide on some key players soon enough in their quest to get back to the postseason.