Mock free agency process sends Kirk Cousins to surprising destination after weighing money against real opportunity

Falcons will release Kirk Cousins in March.

Adam Holt, Kyle Crabbs, Rob Gregson, Tyler Forness, Wendell Ferreira
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Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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After two weird seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is finally free again. Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham confirmed at the NFL Combine that the team will release Cousins, giving him the chance to look for a new opportunity elsewhere.

At 37 and with a comfortable career earnings number on his bank account, Cousins has to think about the situation as much as he thinks about the money — especially because the Falcons will still pay him $10 million in guaranteed money this season, and it has offset language.

So, our team at A to Z Sports will do an exercise to find out where he can end up. Beat writers of potential destinations send their offers and their pitch, and Wendell Ferreira works as Cousins’ agent to determine his destination.

Miami Dolphins: One-year, $1.3 million

The Dolphins could find themselves in the market for a West Coast offense quarterback. Accordingly, Cousins’ experience will have their interest — especially if the Malik Willis pricing goes wild. Cousins’ $10 million fully-guaranteed roster bonus makes an offer easy for the Dolphins. One year for minimum salary, while the Falcons pay the vast majority of the bonus out. If someone is willing to pay Cousins north of $10 million this season, the Dolphins will keep on pushing in their bid to overhaul the roster with a blend of experience and upside elsewhere. — Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami

Minnesota Vikings: One-year, $1.3 million

Why would Kirk Cousins accept the veteran minimum as a free agent? Simple: offset language in his contract with the Atlanta Falcons. With his age and current skill level, it’s highly unlikely that Cousins will get more than $10 million on the open market, meaning that he can go the Russell Wilson route, give his new team the discount, and still make the same amount of money. There won’t be a better situation for him than with the Minnesota Vikings. Not only does his family love Minnesota, Cousins played two years in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, making the transition easier. Plus, the path to starting might be the best he has in the NFL with the struggles of J.J. McCarthy. It feels like an easy match for both sides. — Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota

Pittsburgh Steelers: Two-year, $20 million

The Pittsburgh Steelers remain in limbo at the quarterback position. Omar Khan said during his press conference on Tuesday that the team would like to have Aaron Rodgers back and they are willing to wait again, but not as long as last year.

If we get to mid-March and the Steelers are still waiting on Rodgers, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Pittsburgh go a different direction and insert a Kirk Cousins who fits the mold of a proven veteran that the Steelers have coveted in recent years. He’s actually a half a decade younger than Aaron Rodgers and he was solid with the Falcons last year. 

The issue is that he’s not the long-term answer and would be just another band-aid at the position. At best, I would offer him a two-year deal worth $20 million if I were the Steelers. He’s simply a bridge to their next signal-caller and honestly isn’t as good as Rodgers, who took a deal around $13 million in 2025. Cousins should be the last resort for the Steelers, but that may be what happens in Pittsburgh. — Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh

New Orleans Saints: One-year, $1.3 million

The Saints are a peculiar thought for Cousins at first, but it does make some sense to me. Spencer Rattler is the current backup for New Orleans, and while the team likes him in that role, it’s possible they may want a more experienced option in the room alongside Tyler Shough.

Rattler could net them a Day 3 draft pick if dealt, and Cousins won’t cost an outrageous price this offseason. This situation for the Saints would come down to if another team gives him a deal in which he has a route to earning the starting job entering the season. That wouldn’t be the reality if he turned heel on Atlanta and went to New Orleans.

Regardless, the Saints’ decisions at QB are an underrated part of their offseason. Jake Haener has already exited, and the future of Taysom Hill is unknown as of now. A one-year deal to be the backup for a team looking to contend for the NFC South title  may be something the Saints send Cousins’ way. — Adam Holt, A to Z Sports New Orleans.

Kirk Cousins’ verdict

It’s always a delicate balance between opportunity and money. All financial things equal, I would have chosen the Vikings, who offer a strong supporting cast, an impressive offensive mind in Kevin O’Connell, and a real shot at starting over J.J. McCarthy for at least one season. All in an organization that Cousins knows very well.

But sometimes, money also indicates willingness. In this case, the Steelers are offering more because they would see Cousins as a solution for at least two years, and he could have a better individual situation than he had in Atlanta.

Contract wise, the Steelers and the agent could take advantage of his guarantees with the Falcons to make it more palatable for both sides. It could be a veteran minimum in Year 1 to avoid offsetting what Cousins is set to make in Atlanta, plus a one-year, $18.7 million deal in Year 2 with some guarantees, like $8-10 million, to pay up what he left on the table in 2026. That structure would give Cousins more money, while also giving the Steelers an easy way out in 2027 if they have a long-term answer by that point.

If the Steelers don’t confirm the offer and re-sign Aaron Rodgers, Cousins could take the Vikings’ offer and start there for a year before making another decision next offseason.

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