Best Landing Spots for Kirk Cousins After Falcons Release QB

It's finally happening. 

Per ESPN.com's Marc Raimondi, Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has informed Kirk Cousins that the team will release the quarterback on the first day of the new league year. 

Where might the 37-year-old land on or after March 11? Here are the six best potential landing spots for Cousins.

Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

Kevin O'Connell and Kirk Cousins

Why There?

The Vikings fancy themselves as contenders, but they have an obvious issue at quarterback. Maybe it's too soon to give up on J.J. McCarthy, but it would make a lot of sense to bring back Cousins—who spent his prime in Minnesota—as a veteran presence who could both push and work with the 23-year-old McCarthy.

Potential Obstacles

Been there, done that? Minnesota could also aim for a signal-caller who is a little closer to his prime. Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones all arguably make more sense if they're thinking about upside. 

The Bottom Line

I can really see this happening. Cousins has a long history with Kevin O'Connell, and the Vikes will know that going with Murray, Tagovailoa, and Jones would be more of a definitive rejection of McCarthy. At this point, he might also be cheaper than those alternatives for a team that will be low on salary-cap space.

Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Tua Tagovailoa

Why There?

If Miami does bail on Tagovailoa, Cousins would make sense as a potentially affordable stopgap for a team that may be rebuilding or at least waiting/developing when it comes to the quarterback position. 

Potential Obstacles

The Dolphins could still keep Tagovailoa around. But even if they do move on, they could decide to pursue someone like Murray or Jones, or go with a young wild card such as Malik Willis, Tanner McKee or Jalen Milroe. They also have the 11th overall pick in the draft, and Cousins might not want to join a franchise that appears far from championship contention. 

The Bottom Line

The Dolphins could pair an older head such as Cousins with one of those aforementioned young wild cards or a rookie, but the team remains unlikely to swap one expensive veteran for another. 

New York Jets

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Justin Fields

Why There?

Veterans Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields are coming off disappointing campaigns in consecutive years, and the Jets might decide a fresh veteran look is needed under center. Cousins could at least compete with Fields if New York keeps him on the roster, and with ample cap space plus the possibility of missing out on a plug-and-play rookie, he would give them a steadier short-term option.

Potential Obstacles

The Jets could simply be tired of swapping veteran quarterback for veteran quarterback every offseason, and might prefer to roll the dice with Fields. They could also combine Fields with a young acquisition such as Willis, McKee or Milroe, or even shoot for the stars with Tagovailoa, Murray or Jones. 

The Bottom Line

Cousins could be a fit in Frank Reich's offense, and the Jets are desperate enough to do this. They would also offer the four-time Pro Bowler a talented No. 1 receiver and a decent amount of support. 

Arizona Cardinals 

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Kyler Murray

Why There?

If Arizona does move on from Murray, Cousins would make sense as a bridge for a team that may be rebuilding or at least waiting/developing when it comes to the quarterback position. There are also connections to new Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur via the Sean McVay coaching tree. 

Potential Obstacles

The Cardinals could still keep Murray around. But even if they do move on, they have significant draft capital with the third and 34th overall selections. They could also pursue someone like Willis, McKee or Milroe (or even Tagovailoa), and let's not overlook the fact the younger Jacoby Brissett outperformed Cousins while playing in place of Murray in 2025. 

The Bottom Line

Gut instinct says the Cardinals will likely stick with at least one of their two veterans and pair him with a younger option. Given they are long shots to contend in 2026, they probably would not rank very high on Cousins' list anyway.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Aaron Rodgers

Why There?

If the Aaron Rodgers era ends after just one season, moving from the 42-year-old Rodgers to the 37-year-old Cousins would be on brand.

Potential Obstacles

Right now, it seems likely Rodgers will return to the Steelers. And even if that doesn't happen, the team would have plenty of younger potential options like Tagovailoa, Murray, Jones, Willis, McKee or Milroe. Some of those guys might be more expensive, but the Steelers rank in the top 10 in salary-cap space at Spotrac.

The Bottom Line

Even if Rodgers winds up retiring, I get the sense the Steelers will want to do something a little different than bring in another post-prime starter. That said, it can't be ruled out yet.

Nowhere

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Kirk Cousins

Why There?

This quarterback carousel seems unlikely to be loaded with greatness. That said, if Rodgers sticks around and Russell Wilson becomes another late-career option, and if teams decide to go young and not give up on guys like McCarthy and Anthony Richardson, it's possible nothing will come Cousins' way this spring or summer. 

The Bottom Line

While somebody is likely to eventually become desperate enough to reach out to Cousins as an insurance policy, injury replacement or bridge, he could lose this game of musical chairs. And even if he's offered a seat, a guy who has earned well over $300 million in his career could decide he isn't interested and retire.