2026 NFL Offseason Buzz, Rumors: Falcons Reportedly Intending to Release Kirk Cousins

The NFL offseason hasn’t officially arrived yet, but 30 teams are already looking ahead to 2026. As teams continue to fill out their coaching staffs, some teams are already planning what they’ll do with their rosters before the new league year begins in March. Who will be cut? Who will be traded? Who will benefit from the extension? Who will get the franchise label? Here’s the latest look at some of the most notable rumors around the NFL. The Falcons reportedly intend to release Kirk Cousins, but could bring him back. Kirk Cousins’ time in Atlanta appears to be coming to an end. The Atlanta Falcons plan to cut the veteran quarterback, The Athletic reported. But the Falcons are reportedly interested in re-signing Cousins ​​to a cheaper contract, The Athletic added in its report. Cousins, 37, signed a four-year, $180 million contract to join the Falcons during the 2024 offseason, just months after tearing his Achilles tendon. His tenure in Atlanta began with some promise before being benched at the end of the 2024 season for Michael Penix Jr., who the Falcons selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Penix was the Falcons’ starting quarterback to open the 2025 season. However, Cousins ​​ended up starting eight games as Penix suffered a season-ending ACL tear in November. Cousins ​​​​set a respectable line in 2025, completing 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions with a passer rating of 84.8. The Falcons also went 5-3 in Cousins’ eight starts. But that wasn’t enough for Cousins ​​to secure his place in the Falcons’ new regime, with Matt Ryan running football operations and Kevin Stefanski entering his first season as Atlanta’s head coach.