Kirk Cousins expected to be released by Atlanta Falcons after season

Kirk Cousins is expected to be released by the Atlanta Falcons after the 2024 season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Cousins, who was recently benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr., has struggled in the second half of the season. He was also coming off a torn Achilles, suffered halfway through the 2023 season while he was with the Minnesota Vikings.

But with the Falcons still in playoff contention, head coach Raheem Morris and company felt a change was needed, turning from Cousins to Penix Jr.

“Kirk Cousins’ divorce from the Falcons is expected to be finalized before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, with executives across the league fully expecting Atlanta to have to release him by then,” Schefter wrote. “The split between Cousins and the Falcons is inevitable at this point, according to multiple sources.”

However, the divorce between Cousins and the Falcons will be costly. Atlanta believes they will be unable to trade him.

“Front office executives observing the situation have pointed out that, due to the no-trade clause in Cousins’ contract, he now has all the leverage — and nobody believes he will be doing any favors for a Falcons team that surprised him on draft night by selecting another quarterback — Michael Penix Jr. — in the first round, then benching him this week in favor of the rookie,” Schefter wrote.

“Thus there now is a widespread expectation across the league that the Falcons will not be able to trade Cousins and they will have to release him before March 17, when his $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season comes due. There’s no need for the Falcons to absorb any more costs for a quarterback that cost them $90 million for 14 games.”

Schefter added Atlanta said it was too early to determine Cousins’ fate, but the expectation is the QB will be released and be a free agent ahead of the 2025 season.

Cousins has thrown just one touchdown and nine interceptions in the last five games. And for the 2024 season, the four-time Pro Bowl QB has thrown an NFL-leading 16 interceptions.

“There’s a standard I have for myself and the team has for me,” Cousins said, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t playing up to that standard consistently enough. It is what it is. You roll with it and now you still get ready one play away kind of thing and support Mike (Penix) and just try to help our team be able to find a way these last three to get in the playoffs. …That’s my focus.”