Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said Tuesday he informed quarterback Kirk Cousins that the team would release him on March 11, the first day of the new league year.
“I did talk to Kirk and his representation, Mike McCartney, letting them know that would release him,” Cunningham said. “Just felt that was out of respect for Kirk, and Mike, his agent, for what he has done for his career. I owe that to him, we owe that to him, just allow him some clarity going into free agency.”
Cousins, 37, agreed to modify the final two seasons of a four-year, $180 million deal last month that lowered his 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. The difference of $32.9 million matches the increase of his 2027 salary.
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games (eight starts) this past season. Atlanta was 5-3 in Cousins’ starts.
Last Friday, Falcons team president Matt Ryan initially backed away from a full commitment to quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in his opening press conference in Atlanta. However, Ryan implied that the 2024 first-round pick wasn’t going anywhere.
Penix, 25, started nine games (3-6 record) last season before he tore his ACL. Determined to get back sooner than projected from his third knee reconstruction, Penix said in early February that he’s “a little bit” ahead of schedule and expects to be ready for the first game of the 2026 season.
With Penix on injured reserve watching Cousins operate the offense, the Falcons missed the playoffs and finished 8-9. Since then, head coach Raheem Morris was fired, the Falcons overhauled their front office and hired Ryan as team president. Ryan went with former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta’s wide-ranging search, which multiplied questions about what the Falcons might do behind center.
Ravens, Jackson talking extension
Lamar Jackson remains instrumental in shaping the future of the Baltimore Ravens.
General manager Eric DeCosta said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that Jackson was vocal in the team’s coaching search, and talks about a contract extension are underway.
Jackson, 29, has an NFL-high salary-cap figure of $73.5 million in 2026. An extension with the two-time MVP quarterback, who acts as his own agent, could significantly lower that figure and allow DeCosta to re-sign free agents – center Tyler Linderbaum is a priority – or add to the roster in free agency.
“Lamar and I have an agreement,” DeCosta said. “We handle business kind of in- house internally. That worked well for us last time and we will continue to have that policy moving forward. Have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month. He’s been very engaged. He was a big value to us in the coaching search, but we’ll continue those conversations moving forward.”
DeCosta said the Ravens made a “market setting” offer to Linderbaum and are hopeful he’ll return. The Ravens rolled the dice on keeping Linderbaum long-term when they declined his fifth-year option for 2026.
“Obviously he’s proven to be, in my opinion, the best center of the league,” DeCosta said. “Hopefully we can get something done with him between now and the start of the new league year.”
DeCosta said the “trenches” are a high priority on both sides of the ball when free agency begins March 9.
The Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their new head coach last month, replacing John Harbaugh.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: NFL roundup: Falcons will release Kirk Cousins; Ravens in talks with Jackson
Reporting by Field Level Media, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
