FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have made changes to quarterback Kirk Cousins’ contract, a move that reflects their strategic planning.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the new deal won’t affect the money Cousins is already guaranteed. His base salary for 2026 dropped significantly from $35 million to $2.1 million. In turn, his 2027 salary increased, creating a hefty $67.9 million guarantee that becomes secure on March 13, just three days into the 2026 NFL league year.
The Falcons first signed Cousins in 2024 on a four-year, $180 million contract. That same year, they picked quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, intending for Cousins to start while Penix developed.
In his first season with Atlanta, Cousins played 14 games, completing 66.9% of his passes for about 250.6 yards per game. He found the end zone 18 times but also threw an NFL-high 16 interceptions. By Week 16, he was benched for Penix due to inconsistent performances. Cousins ended the season contributing to a 7-7 record as the Falcons finished 8-9 overall.
In 2025, Penix started until a knee injury sidelined him in Week 11, which led to Cousins finishing the season as starter for the last seven games. Across his time, he appeared in 10 games, completing 61.7% of his passes and throwing 10 touchdowns against five interceptions. His record during that stretch was 5-3, keeping the Falcons’ playoff hopes alive despite finishing 8-9 again.
After a thrilling win against the New Orleans Saints, which concluded a four-game win streak, Cousins expressed his desire to stay with the team. “I would love to be back here,” he said. “We’ll see how things play out. At this point, you kind of just see where it goes.”
These developments come amid a shifting NFL landscape, where teams are increasingly focused on balancing immediate performance with long-term strategy. The Falcons’ adjustment to Cousins’ contract not only highlights their aim for flexibility but also their commitment to building a strong team foundation. As they move forward, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these decisions unfold in the coming seasons.
For more insights on NFL player contracts, you can check out detailed analyses from resources like OverTheCap.
Source link
News,Terrin Waack,Terrin Waack,Kirk Cousins
