Falcons reportedly preparing for big Kirk Cousins decision

The Atlanta Falcons have a couple of big decisions to make this offseason, but perhaps the biggest is to decide what to do with quarterback Kirk Cousins.

With Michael Penix Jr. the starter when healthy, having Cousins on his bloated contract as a backup isn't feasible to enter the 2026 season with.

But given the money Cousins is owed, the Falcons, if they were to move on from him, would have to do so at the risk of some serious dead money.

And according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, that's exactly what the franchise plans to do.

"Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March, allowing him to choose where or if he wants to play in 2026, league sources told ESPN," Schefter wrote.

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Cutting Cousins a costly exercise

It is clear Atlanta wants to move on from Cousins, but there's a high price to be paid.

A pre-June 1 cut, per Over The Cap, will see the Falcons eat $35 million in dead money, and only save $10 million. A post June 1 cut sees the Falcons eat only $22.5 million and save $2 million.

But according to Schefter, the Falcons will cut Cousins before the new league year begins on March 11.

So, the franchise appears fine to swallow $35 million in dead money. Yikes.

Make of that what you will.

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