Falcons to Release Kirk Cousins After Paying $100 Million Over Two Years

Kirk Cousins earned $90 million in guarantees and an additional $10 million in roster bonus in his two years with the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons to Release Kirk Cousins After Paying $100 Million Over Two Years

Kirk Cousins (Image via Falcons/X)

In Short
  • The Atlanta Falcons will release quarterback Kirk Cousins after two seasons.
  • Cousins earned $100 million during his time with the Falcons but struggled to lead the team to success.
  • Potential landing spots for Cousins include the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins.

When the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a monster contract, everyone wondered if the quarterback was worth spending that much money on.

After all, he was coming off an Achilles tendon tear, not an injury to be taken lightly, especially for aging athletes. On top of that, his season record with the Minnesota Vikings before getting injured did not excite anyone.

Still, for a quarterback-needy team such as the Falcons, they felt their investment would be worth every penny. But to make sure, they drafted Michael Penix Jr., hoping the latter would learn from Cousins.

Those bizarre decisions have so far led to two 8-9 seasons and cost Raheem Morris his job. Cousins led the team to win four straight games to end the season, but ownership felt it was not good enough.

I did talk to Kirk (Cousins) and his representation, letting them know that we will release him on the first day of the league year.

Ian Cunningham revealed

This was GM Ian Cunningham speaking at the NFL Combine, revealing that the Falcons have informed Kirk Cousins that they are giving him the time and freedom to find another job.

That means in a while, the 37-year-old would bring the curtains down on his time in Georgia. He did pocket $100 million in the two years he was there, but wished he could continue playing after ending the season on a high note.

Kirk Cousins will use those four games to pitch for his next job

Those last four games of the season saw the Atlanta Falcons defeat the two potential teams in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams.

Kirk Cousins could have a few options
Kirk Cousins could have a few options (Image via Falcons/X)

During his two seasons, Kirk Cousins has delivered some of his best games when playing against the former, and his 373 yards along with three touchdowns in their Week 15 encounter was a reminder that the Illinois native can turn it on when needed.

The next three games were not his best, but they were also not as bad as the stretch of turnover-heavy games he had in his first season with the Falcons.

The father of two might use that stretch of games as a resume pitch wherever he appears for an interview. Quarterback-needy teams will love those four games, as even though some were not spectacular, having a steady signal caller is important.

As of now, it is rumored that his former team, the Vikings, along with the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, are potential landing spots for Kirk Cousins.

Kirk Cousins returning to Vikings makes most sense

If Aaron Rodgers returns, that would strike the Steelers off Kirk Cousins‘ list of potential landing spots. But among all the other options, ESPN’s senior writer and football analyst Bill Barnwell believes there is one perfect place the QB could return to.

Doesn’t it make sense?… Kirk Cousins is, to me, the perfect fit. He’s just good enough, where if he outplays JJ McCarthy, you feel good about starting him. If he is just not good enough, you can credibly say, ‘Well, we’re gonna give JJ a shot.’… He is the exact caliber of quarterback you want if you’re the Minnesota Vikings.

Bill Barnwell said on Golic & Golic

His opinion makes sense, as JJ McCarthy did not do much to instill confidence last season, leaving the Vikings ruing their decision to let Sam Darnold walk in free agency.

With Cousins pushing the young QB for the starting job, the competition will either bring the best out of the player they traded up to draft. Or, they can get a clear indication that it is time to move on. In the meantime, the veteran can be their bridge.

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