This week at the NFL Scouting Combine, Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham confirmed that the team plans to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on March 11, the first day of the new league year, effectively ending his two-season stint with the Falcons. The decision comes after the club restructured Cousins’ contract this offseason and signals a shift toward a new quarterback room as Atlanta looks to retool its roster.
Cunningham said the move was communicated to Cousins and his representation “out of respect” so the 14-year veteran can plan for free agency, but also underscored that the team is ready to move on. With first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. still on the mend from an ACL injury and positioned as the franchise’s future, the Falcons appear committed to charting a new course at the position. Cousins’ release will make him a free agent once the league year opens, adding an experienced quarterback to a market of veteran signal-callers available this spring.
