INDIANAPOLIS — Don’t add Kirk Cousins’ name to the list of free-agent quarterbacks just yet.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot indicated Tuesday that he would be comfortable keeping Cousins as the NFL’s most expensive backup in the second year of the four-year, $180 million free-agent contract that he signed last offseason.
Fontenot said at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine that Cousins will remain with the Falcons for the foreseeable future and that he is prepared to pay a $10 million guaranteed roster bonus to Cousins on March 17.
Rookie Michael Penix Jr. supplanted Cousins as the starter with three games left in the regular season, which has led to speculation that the Falcons will cut an unhappy Cousins.
“Kirk handled that really well at the end of the season,” Fontenot said. “Obviously, Kirk’s a really talented player, he’s a great man, all those things.”
If the 36-year-old Cousins is released, he becomes one of the most desirable free-agent quarterbacks because of his résumé and because of his team-friendly price.
A new team could pay him the NFL veteran minimum and stick the Falcons with the bill, the way that the Steelers had a bargain on the Broncos’ tab last year with Russell Wilson.
The Browns, who hold the No. 2 pick in the draft and could be without erratic starter Deshaun Watson for the season, become instant favorites if Cousins is released. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and Cousins had great seasons together when Stefanski was the Vikings offensive coordinator.
If the Falcons stick with Cousins, does he have a chance to win back his starting job?
“Michael Penix is our quarterback,” head coach Raheem Morris said.
Fontenot called benching Cousins for Penix a “football decision” and not related to Cousin’ late-season injury. Cousins recently revealed that he injured his throwing shoulder in Week 10.
