Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins endured a complicated 2024 season. He struggled to adapt to his new franchise, and that ultimately cost him his starting role, as Michael Penix Jr. stepped in to replace him.
In 2025, he began the season on the bench, but the door reopened when Penix Jr. suffered an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Cousins returned to the starting lineup out of necessity, yet he demonstrated that despite his veteran status, he remains a reliable passer.
Now that he has been released by the Falcons, he could very well return to the Minnesota Vikings, where he previously enjoyed significant success. Everything suggests that a reunion with his former team would suit him perfectly, especially since JJ McCarthy struggled throughout the season.
Kirk Cousins exits the Atlanta Falcons
Cousins still had two years remaining on his contract with the Falcons, but this Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Indiana, where the NFL Combine is taking place, Atlanta’s top executives and coaches announced the departure of their signal-caller.
Cousins spent two seasons with the Falcons, where he clearly never felt entirely comfortable. It is worth recalling the Netflix documentary Quarterback, in which he frequently complained about the weather, the mosquitoes, the style of play not fitting his strengths, and countless other issues.
Now the path has been cleared for him to pursue a return to Minnesota and the cold climate he enjoys so much. He will also be able to go back to the home he purchased there and deeply missed.
I did talk to Kirk and his representation, Mike McCartney, letting them know that we will release him on the first day of the league year.”. “Just felt that that was out of respect for Kirk and Mike, his agent, and what he’s done in his career, just to-I owe that to him. We owe that to him, to allow him some clarity going into free agency.
Ian Cunningham, the Falcons’ general manager, told the media.
Cousins’ arrival in Atlanta came with a four-year, $180 million contract. The Vikings opted to move on from him despite his spectacular seasons, choosing instead to draft a young quarterback; it is widely apparent that the move did not unfold as planned.
Now that he is out of Atlanta, a return to Minnesota appears plausible. It seems to be something both sides were seeking and have now been granted. The Vikings would gain internal competition for McCarthy, while Cousins would reunite with the climate he so greatly appreciates.
Kirk Cousins’ contract restructuring enabled his exit from the Falcons
The Falcons made a crucial move in the summer of 2025 by restructuring Cousins’ contract, which ultimately allowed them to release him.
The most significant item of business early this week was a restructuring of quarterback Kirk Cousins’ contract that gives the team more financial flexibility this spring and allows Cousins to essentially advertise to the rest of the league – or anyone interested in his services – that he will be a free agent by March 12,
Atlanta converted Cousins’ 2026 salary from $35 million to $2.1 million, according to a league source, moving the leftover $32.9 million to his 2027 base salary, making his base salary for that season $67.9 million. The move essentially guarantees Cousins will be released before March 13 because that entire $67.9 million would be due to him if he’s still on the roster then.
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall and Jeff Howe wrote in an article in January.
Now the pieces appear to be in place for Cousins and the Vikings to reunite, although neither side has publicly addressed the possibility.
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