The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release Kirk Cousins before the March 17 due date for the currently demoted quarterback’s $10 million roster bonus, ESPN reported Saturday.
The Falcons announced Tuesday that Cousins was benched and Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, would be their starting quarterback “moving forward.”
Cousins, 36, had one touchdown pass Monday to snap a four-game losing streak at Las Vegas. He leads the NFL with 18 turnovers, 16 interceptions.
Cousins was signed as a free agent in March to a four-year, $140 million contract that includes a no-trade clause. On March 17 he’s due a $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season.
Sources told ESPN it’s unlikely that either side would want a trade, with Cousins unlikely to want to do the Falcons any favors given his benching, and the Falcons unlikely to want to absorb any further costs for a player they’ve already paid $90 million for 14 games.
For his part, Cousins appears to be putting up a good front in the wake of his benching.
Cousins said he called Penix after talking to Falcons coach Raheem Morris to let him know he is “in his corner,” and would help him any way he can.
“It’s pro football and there’s a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me that, unfortunately, I wasn’t playing up to that standard consistently enough. And so, it is what it is, and you roll with it and now you still get ready — one play away kind of a thing,” Cousins said Wednesday. “And support Mike and just try to help our team be able to find a way to win these last three to get in the playoffs, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Morris credited Cousins for taking the demotion as a professional.
“Any time you take a step down, and demotion, whatever the case may be, it’s not going to be met with great appreciation,” Morris said. “But Kirk was a professional. He’s a pro, he’s a man, he’s great human, great father, he’s a great football player. He’s done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He’s an absolute professional. I can’t say enough good things about who the man is. Obviously, it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job.”
Atlanta (7-7) trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South race. The Falcons play the Washington Commanders (9-5) on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17 and playoff position could be on the line if the Falcons beat the Giants and the NFC-East leading Eagles beat the Commanders this week.
Cousins played for Washington (2012-17) and Minnesota (2018-23) before joining the Falcons.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins is 83-74-2 over 159 career starts. He has thrown for 42,979 yards with 288 touchdowns and 126 interceptions.
–Field Level Media
