Falcons and Kirk Cousins: Contract Restructuring and Uncertain Future
The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins have reached an agreement to modify the last two years of the player’s contract. This decision opens the door to a definition of his future in Atlanta, which must be made before March 13, 2026, the third day of the NFL league year.
The restructuring includes a $67.9 million guarantee for the 2027 season, which will take effect on March 13. Given the high probability that the Falcons, or any team that acquired Cousins through a trade before that date, will not want to assume those $67.9 million, the decision on Cousins’ future could come sooner.
In addition, Cousins’ base salary for 2026 was reduced from $35 million (not guaranteed) to just $2.1 million, a difference of $32.9 million. This amount equals the increase in his compensation for 2027 that includes this modified agreement, only distributed differently. The restructuring does not affect the guaranteed money already owed to Cousins.
Although Cousins and the Falcons, who are in search of a new general manager and head coach, could agree to another modified deal to keep him in Atlanta, a logical possibility raised by salary cap experts is that the team will release Cousins before March 13 through a post-June 1 cut.
This rescission would split the dead money from Cousins’ contract between the 2026 and 2027 league years, instead of the team taking the full amount in 2026, and would also create cap flexibility for Atlanta on June 2. Additionally, by agreeing to reduce Cousins’ base salary for the year 2026, the Falcons create more cap flexibility immediately, as their cap hit decreased immediately.
Cousins, 37, played in 10 games this season, starting the last seven for Atlanta after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a knee injury. Cousins, who threw 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions during those seven starts, said after the Falcons’ Week 18 victory against the Saints that he would like to continue playing and left the door open to his return to Atlanta.
