1 of 5 | Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 1,721 yards, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. File Photo by Mike Zarrilli/UPI | License Photo
The Atlanta Falcons will release quarterback Kirk Cousins on March 11, general manager Ian Cunningham told reporters Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
Cunningham said he recently spoke to Cousins and his agents to inform them of the Falcons’ plans to cut the quarterback on the first day of the NFL’s new league year.
“I just felt that that was out of respect for Kirk and Mike McCartney, his agent, and what he has done in his career,” Cunningham said at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
“I owe that to him. We owe that to him to allow him some clarity going into free agency.”
Cousins, 37, signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in 2024. The Falcons restructured that pact last month.
The 14-year veteran completed 66.9% of his throws for 3,508 yards, 18 scores and 16 interceptions over 14 starts in 2024. He completed 61.7% of his throws for 1,721 yards, 10 scores and five interceptions over 10 appearances, including eight starts, in 2025.
Cousins started the Falcons’ final games of 2026, when Week 1 starter Michael Penix Jr. was out with a torn ACL.
Easton Stick, the only other quarterback on the Falcons’ roster last season, is to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Falcons had the NFL’s No. 14 offense, with the No. 8 rushing attack and No. 19 passing game in 2025.
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