Kirk Cousins looks set to be released by the Atlanta Falcons before the new league year in March, bringing his brief stint in Atlanta to a close. He arrived on a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024, but the Falcons used the No. 8 overall pick that spring on Michael Penix Jr., which quickly limited Cousins’ long-term prospects with the team. Penix started the 2025 season until suffering a torn ACL that ended his year and opened the door for Cousins to return as the starter. In 10 games last season the 37-year-old completed 61.7% of his passes, posted an 84.8 passer rating and went 5-3 in eight starts — not elite, but more than capable enough to draw interest once he hits free agency.
Here are several plausible landing spots:
– Pittsburgh Steelers: With Aaron Rodgers’ future still unclear, the Steelers might again pursue an experienced quarterback rather than banking on a rookie. Pittsburgh has adopted that approach recently with veterans such as Russell Wilson and Rodgers, and Cousins’ skill set would likely fit under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
– Minnesota Vikings: A return to Minnesota makes sense on paper. The Vikings are undergoing front-office turnover after problems with their quarterback decisions; rookie J.J. McCarthy struggled in 2025 and, with former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah possibly out, the team may look for experienced depth or a short-term upgrade. Cousins, who played in Minnesota from 2018–2023 and knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense, could serve as insurance or even step in as a starter if needed.
– Miami Dolphins: Miami appears poised to move on from Tua Tagovailoa amid a new regime under GM John Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. The 2026 QB class isn’t expected to offer high-end options at their draft slot, and cap constraints — roughly $16.4 million over the limit with dead-money from Tua — make a pricey long-term option unlikely. Cousins would be a sensible, affordable bridge quarterback while the Dolphins reset.
– New York Jets: After the Justin Fields experiment fell apart, the Jets remain unsettled at QB despite holding the No. 2 pick in 2026. If top quarterback prospects aren’t available or the team misses on a target, New York has ample cap room (around $83.2 million) and could turn to Cousins to stabilize the position for a season while they use other assets to improve the roster.
– San Francisco 49ers: It’s less obvious, but Cousins could land in San Francisco as a veteran backup. If the Niners were to move Mac Jones after his strong spot starts, they’d suddenly need reliable depth behind Brock Purdy. Kyle Shanahan has a long history with Cousins — they worked together early in Shanahan’s career — which could make Cousins an appealing veteran presence in the Bay Area, even in a reserve role.
Fan take: Cousins hitting the market would give several teams a proven, short-term solution at quarterback, which could shape offseason strategies more than any single draft pick this year. For fans, his availability adds drama to the QB carousel and could influence whether teams pursue long-term rebuilds or lean on veteran stopgaps to chase immediate success.
