Kirk Cousins’ time in Atlanta may be nearing its end - and the winds of change are swirling once again around the veteran quarterback.
After stepping in for an injured Michael Penix Jr. during his second season with the Falcons, Cousins found himself back in a starting role. But the results were mixed.
A stretch of uneven performances led then-head coach Raheem Morris to bench the four-time Pro Bowler. Cousins eventually returned to the lineup, finishing the 2025 season with 10 starts, completing 166 of 269 passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Solid, but not exactly the kind of production that locks in a long-term future.
Now, with Matt Ryan stepping into the front office as the Falcons’ new President of Football and Kevin Stefanski taking over on the sidelines, there’s a sense that Atlanta is resetting the deck - and Cousins may not be part of the new hand.
According to reports, Cousins could be on his way out unless he’s willing to return on a more team-friendly deal. And if the Falcons do move on, there’s reason to believe he won’t be sitting on the open market for long. Despite his age and recent inconsistency, Cousins still brings something that’s always in demand: experience, poise, and the ability to stabilize an offense.
Several teams could use just that.
One potential landing spot? A familiar one.
Minnesota. The Vikings are in need of a veteran presence after losing Sam Darnold to Seattle in free agency and failing to retain Daniel Jones.
Cousins already knows the system under head coach Kevin O’Connell, and that existing rapport could make for a smooth reunion. For a team trying to stay competitive in a tough NFC North, plugging Cousins back in could make sense.
Another team to keep an eye on is the Indianapolis Colts. They reportedly had interest in bringing back Daniel Jones before his injury derailed those plans. If Jones isn’t ready for the start of the 2026 season, Cousins could be a plug-and-play option - someone who can keep the offense on schedule and give the Colts a chance to stay afloat in the AFC South.
And then there’s the New York Jets. The Justin Fields experiment didn’t deliver the breakthrough the team hoped for last season.
With a new offensive coordinator now in place, the Jets are trying to retool around Fields - but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t welcome a steady hand like Cousins. If things go sideways again, having a proven veteran in the room could be critical.
And if Fields falters, Cousins offers a ready-made alternative.
Bottom line: while his days in Atlanta may be numbered, Kirk Cousins isn’t done yet. He may not be the long-term answer for a franchise anymore, but for teams looking for short-term stability, leadership, and a quarterback who can still sling it when protected, Cousins remains a viable option.
The next few weeks will be telling. Whether it’s a return to a former team or a fresh start in a new city, Cousins’ next chapter is coming - and it might be more impactful than some expect.