Kirk Cousins Nears the End-Will the Veteran QB Trade the Huddle for a Headset?
It looks like the Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta is coming to a close. Reports indicate the Falcons are expected to release the veteran quarterback, signaling what could be the final chapter of a long and productive NFL career.
Cousins, who signed a $180 million deal with Atlanta, showed flashes of the steady hand that made him a four-time Pro Bowler. But as the seasons wore on, so did the wear and tear-and now, the future is murky.
To be clear, Cousins still proved this past year that he can sling it. The arm talent is there, the decision-making remains sharp, and the leadership has never been in question. But at 38, and with injuries starting to chip away at his mobility and consistency, the question isn't just whether he can keep playing-it's whether he wants to.
There will likely be some interest from QB-needy teams looking for a bridge or a veteran presence in the locker room. But this isn’t 2018 Kirk Cousins hitting the market.
The demand won’t be sky-high, and that could prompt a pivot toward retirement. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cousins is seriously weighing that option.
And honestly, it wouldn’t be shocking.
This would mark his third team in four seasons, and another relocation might not be worth the grind-especially for a guy who’s made over $200 million in career earnings and has nothing left to prove. He’s spoken highly of his time in Atlanta, and it’s clear he and his family have settled in. Uprooting again for a short-term opportunity might not hold the same appeal it once did.
Unless there’s a reunion with Minnesota on the table-where he’d potentially compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job-it’s hard to see a situation that makes perfect sense for both sides.
But if Cousins does decide to step away from the field, don’t expect him to disappear from the football world entirely.
There’s growing buzz that he could follow the increasingly well-worn path from quarterback to broadcaster. He’s already dipped his toe in the water, appearing on The NFL Today during the playoffs and looking right at home behind the desk. With Matt Ryan now stepping into a front-office role as the Falcons’ new president of football, CBS suddenly has a seat open on its pregame show-and Cousins might just be the guy to fill it.
He wouldn’t be the first QB to make the jump. Tom Brady’s media deal is already in motion.
Tony Romo’s become a staple in the booth. Drew Brees, Troy Aikman, Phil Simms-the list goes on.
Cousins, with his deep football knowledge, articulate presence, and affable personality, fits the mold.
He’s always been known as a cerebral quarterback-meticulous in preparation, sharp in film study, and respected in every locker room he’s been in. That kind of insight translates well on television, especially in today’s media landscape where fans crave more than just surface-level commentary.
So while Falcons fans might be caught off guard by the idea of Cousins hanging it up, there’s a silver lining. Whether it’s in a studio breaking down coverages or in the booth calling a Sunday showdown, Cousins could have a long second act in football-just not the kind that ends with a touchdown pass.
Whatever he decides, one thing’s for sure: Kirk Cousins has left his mark. And if this is the end of his playing days, he’s walking away with a legacy built on consistency, professionalism, and quiet excellence.