All articles tagged with #kirk cousins
Rich Gannon views Kirk Cousins’ signing as a clear Raiders blueprint: bring in a proven quarterback to spark real competition, consider drafting a rookie such as Fernando Mendoza, and let spring/summer reps determine Week 1 duties under Klint Kubiak, with no formal starter timetable yet.
Kirk Cousins joins the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year, $20 million deal (with $8.3 million paid by the Falcons) and positions himself to either start or mentor rookie Fernando Mendoza as the franchise rebuilds. After consulting coach Klint Kubiak and receiving guidance from Tom Brady, Cousins embraced Vegas’ culture and the chance to help Mendoza develop, stressing that winning with the right people matters most and that he’ll play if he’s the best option for the team.
Kirk Cousins says the best player should start and has offered to mentor Fernando Mendoza, signaling Mendoza could be the Raiders’ future franchise QB if he outperforms in camp and earns the job.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins signs with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with coach Klint Kubiak and joining a young, well-resourced roster. He cites the Raiders’ facilities, ownership/management commitment, and Las Vegas environment as key reasons for the move, and says his aim is to lead and finish strong in Year 15 while helping Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty and Tyler Linderbaum accelerate the franchise’s progress.
At the NFL Annual League Meeting, Rams coach Sean McVay said the team is weighing Kirk Cousins as a backup for Matthew Stafford and has discussed Jimmy Garoppolo as well, while revealing they considered trading Davante Adams this offseason but decided against it, signaling ongoing aggressive moves for a Super Bowl run.
McVay said Kirk Cousins would be appealing as the Rams’ backup if free-agent pursuit of Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t pan out, with Garoppolo still in consideration, Matthew Stafford ahead and Stetson Bennett in the QB room as the team contemplates adding another quarterback.
Breer shows a quiet but pivotal phase of NFL free agency: Kyler Murray plans to take a minimum deal and may land with Minnesota or Indianapolis; Kirk Cousins wants more than the minimum and could fit with Minnesota or Indy as teams navigate the market. Tua Tagovailoa joined the Falcons for the veteran minimum while Miami pays the remaining guarantees; Geno Smith was traded to the Jets, moving market dynamics. Jacksonville and Seattle are managing cap space and draft capital for future flexibility, with several notable contracts (Vera-Tucker’s per-game bonuses, Pacheco’s Lions fit) illustrating how teams are approaching deals as Wednesday’s free-agent window opens.
At the 2026 NFL combine, Malik Willis and Kirk Cousins emerge as the two biggest free-agent names, each with a distinct path: Willis offers youth and upside and could command a $50 million-plus two-year deal with interest from the Browns, Dolphins, Cardinals, Jets and more, while Cousins provides veteran production with potential fits including the Vikings. The market is shaped by a thin draft class and teams’ tight cap spaces (e.g., Cleveland), making two quarterbacks central to the offseason storyline as free agency nears.
The Atlanta Falcons plan to release quarterback Kirk Cousins on the opening day of the new league year, ending a contract they view as a $100 million disaster. The move leaves a $24.6 million cap hit into June, with $22.5 million in dead money for 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027, plus up to $10 million in offsets if he signs elsewhere. At 37, Cousins—who joined the Falcons in 2024 on a four-year, $180 million deal but was supplanted by Michael Penix Jr.—now becomes a high-profile free agent on a quarterback-rich market, with teams including the Steelers, Vikings and Colts noted as potential fits.
Falcons GM Ian Cunningham says the team will release Kirk Cousins when the new league year begins (March 11) after restructuring his contract to push most of 2026 salary into 2027, creating a $67.9 million 2027 guarantee and allowing the cap hit to be spread while Cousins hits free agency.
An NFC cut-watch for 2026 free agency centers on Kirk Cousins and Alvin Kamara as marquee candidates to clear cap space, with a host of other veterans—like Aaron Jones, James Conner, T.J. Hockenson, Cole Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, Marshon Lattimore and Elgton Jenkins—also on the potential-cut list as teams weigh pre- vs post-June 1 designations to reshape rosters and budget.
The Atlanta Falcons plan to release quarterback Kirk Cousins ahead of the 2026 free-agent period, making the veteran signal-caller available as the quarterback market is expected to be thin. Signed to a $180 million deal in 2024, Cousins spent 2025 backing up Michael Penix Jr. and started eight games with declining numbers after Penix’s ACL injury. With a new regime moving on, Cousins could attract interest as a bridge option, potentially drawing teams like Pittsburgh though competition and age temper expectations.
Falcons president Matt Ryan refused to guarantee Michael Penix Jr. will be the starting quarterback when he returns from ACL surgery, signaling ongoing roster decisions under new GM Ian Cunningham; Penix’s status remains uncertain amid competition considerations and his aim to be ready for Week 1 of 2026.
Atlanta is reportedly releasing 37-year-old Kirk Cousins in March after his four-year, $180 million deal fizzled, with a restructure designed to ease the exit and room to negotiate a cheaper return. The $67.9 million 2027 guarantee vests March 13 and is unlikely to be paid. After backing Michael Penix Jr. in 2025 (1,721 passing yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs), Cousins could pursue a starting role with Jets, Dolphins, or Cardinals, or explore a media path if no appealing offers surface.
The Falcons are expected to release quarterback Kirk Cousins by March 13 to avoid a $67.9 million guarantee vesting for 2027, two years into his four-year, $180 million contract signed in 2024.