Kirk Cousins isn’t ready to hang it up just yet-and if his late-season performance for the Falcons is any indication, he might still have some gas left in the tank.
Speaking on Good Morning Football: Overtime earlier this week, the 37-year-old quarterback made it clear he’s not eyeing retirement. In fact, he says he feels “rejuvenated” after the 2025 season and is keeping an open mind about what comes next.
“I would love to keep playing,” Cousins said. “I feel rejuvenated after playing last season, and I'm excited to see kind of where it can go from here.”
It’s been a winding road for Cousins in Atlanta. After losing the starting job to rookie Michael Penix Jr. in December 2024, Cousins was thrust back into action in Week 12 of the 2025 campaign when Penix went down with a partially torn ACL.
The veteran responded with a strong finish, going 5-2 over his final seven starts while throwing 10 touchdowns to five interceptions. It wasn’t flashy, but it was steady-vintage Cousins.
That late-season surge could end up being more than just a farewell tour. With Penix still rehabbing from surgery, the door is open for Cousins to reclaim the starting role in Week 1 of the 2026 season. New Falcons leadership-president Matt Ryan, GM Ian Cunningham, and head coach Kevin Stefanski-hasn’t shut the door on that possibility.
And Stefanski is a familiar face. Cousins worked with him in Minnesota, first as a quarterbacks coach and then as an offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. That history could be a factor if the Falcons decide they want a reliable hand to guide the offense while Penix gets back to full strength.
Still, the clock is ticking. If Cousins and the Falcons don’t agree to a restructured deal by March 13, he’s expected to be released.
That would make him a free agent just ahead of the new league year, which officially begins March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Cousins, who’s spent much of his career on short-term deals, sounds like a man used to the uncertainty.
“There's been a lot of years of one-year contracts, and what's going to happen next, and will you get traded? So I guess I've kind of lived it,” he said.
“I've learned to be pretty open-minded. And here we are again.”
He also acknowledged the rhythm of the offseason by now feels familiar: a quiet February, followed by a busy, often chaotic March.
“You don't really know what's going to happen come March,” Cousins said. “I've learned that February is really quiet, which is really nice. You just kind of go away and disappear and go sit on a beach, and then you know that March is coming.”
As for what March might bring? Cousins didn’t drop any hints, but there are teams out there that could be in the market for a veteran quarterback.
The Vikings-where he played some of his best football under Kevin O’Connell before tearing his Achilles in 2023-have been loosely linked. So have the Jets, Dolphins, Steelers, and Cardinals, all of whom could benefit from a steady, experienced presence under center.
For now, Cousins is staying patient. But if his strong finish in 2025 is any indication, he’s not just looking to be a placeholder-he’s looking to compete. Whether that’s in Atlanta or elsewhere remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Kirk Cousins isn’t done writing his NFL story just yet.