Kirk Cousins is stepping into the studio spotlight-at least for the next couple of weekends. With Matt Ryan vacating his role at CBS to rejoin the Falcons, the network is turning to someone who knows the field as well as the film room. Cousins will be joining The NFL Today crew for the remainder of the postseason, offering insight from a quarterback who’s been in the thick of it all season long.
This isn’t Cousins’ first rodeo in front of the camera. He appeared on ESPN during last year’s divisional round and was even slated to join NBC’s Football Night in America during Atlanta’s 2024 bye week, though that appearance was ultimately canceled. Still, the interest from networks-and Cousins’ comfort in front of the mic-makes it clear that he’s got a post-playing career path lined up if he wants it.
But for now, Cousins’ immediate future is still very much tied to the football field. His contract situation is setting the stage for a potentially busy March.
A recent adjustment to his deal opens the door for the Falcons to release him on March 11 or 12, which would make him a free agent right at the start of the new league year. That timing could be crucial for a veteran quarterback looking to land with a team in need of experience under center.
Let’s rewind to how we got here. In 2024, Cousins signed a four-year deal with Atlanta, locking in $100 million in guarantees.
That was a big swing by the Falcons, a team clearly trying to stabilize the quarterback position. But just a month later, they used the eighth overall pick in the draft to select Michael Penix Jr.-a move that raised eyebrows and immediately put a ticking clock on Cousins’ tenure as the unquestioned starter.
As the season unfolded, that quarterback timeline accelerated. Cousins was benched late in 2024, a clear signal that the team was pivoting toward its rookie investment.
But football rarely sticks to the script. When Penix went down with a season-ending ACL injury in 2025, the Falcons turned back to Cousins.
And to his credit, he delivered.
Cousins started eight games to close out the season, finishing on a four-game win streak that included a pair of prime-time victories. It was a reminder of what he can still bring to the table-poise, experience, and the ability to win when the lights are brightest.
Now, as he prepares to share his insight on the playoff stage from the CBS studio, the bigger question looms: where does he go from here? With free agency around the corner and a résumé that includes clutch wins and a deep understanding of the game, Cousins is once again in a familiar position-betting on himself, and likely about to cash in.
For now, though, we’ll get to see him break down the postseason action from a new perspective. And don’t be surprised if he looks right at home doing it.