Kirk Cousins is the Leverage King, securing his 11th consecutive season of fully guaranteed money. Every NFL player admires Cousins’ cojones. He has orchestrated an absolute masterclass in wealth accumulation, fleecing both the Falcons ($8.7M) and Raiders ($1.3M) for a total of $10 million this year, plus another $10M roster bonus from Las Vegas in 2027.
Even at 38 years old, Cousins is shrewdest negotiator in NFL history, simply biding his time until he hits the open market, demanding fully guaranteed deals, and then moving on to the next mark. Cousins has no fantasy value outside superflex leagues, and even in a 2QB format, he will back-up Fernando Mendoza with a league-bottom wide receiver room in 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a ...
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that the money that the Las ...
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed quarterback Kirk Cousins ...
After earning $100-million for 22 starts, Kirk Cousins’ time in Atlanta has come to an end. Per Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham, the franchise will release the 14-year veteran on March 11, the start of the new league year. The release concludes an up-and-down stint in Atlanta, where Cousins went 12-10 as a starter. He signed a four-year deal in 2024, only for the team to draft QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick a few weeks later. After struggling down the stretch of the 2024 season, Cousins was benched for Penix and served as the backup last year until Penix suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Cousins should draw interest in his services as a potential bridge QB. He looked pretty pedestrian last year — outside of one monstrous performance against the Buccaneers, 18.6 fantasy points was his best weekly output. But he’s now another year removed from the Achilles tear he suffered in 2023, and brings a résumé that includes 44,700 passing yards and 298 passing TDs. A reunion with the Vikings makes a lot of sense. The QB-needy Jets also could be an option. For fantasy, Cousins can be safely ignored in all single-QB formats, but will be a QB3 in Superflex leagues if he lands a starting job.
Author: Wolf Trelles-Heard (@DynastyFFWolf )
The Atlanta Falcons are widely expected to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before the start of the 2026 NFL league year in March, after two seasons in Atlanta that didn’t lead to playoff success. This move gives Cousins the opportunity to decide where he wants to play next or even consider retirement.
Cousins, 37, started for the Falcons once Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL in 2025. Cousins went 5-3 as a starter but the team has new leadership at the helm. One potential for Cousins if released is reunited with the Minnesota Vikings, which he spent six seasons prior to joining the Falcons. Expect there to be demand for Cousins this offseason with a weaker quarterback draft class.
Author: Jake Lewis (@Lewylewis5)
When Michael Penix suffered a partially torn left ACL in Week 11, it cast an ominous cloud over his future. Backup Kirk Cousins took over and the Falcons just missed the playoffs in a 3-way tie in the NFC South where the Panthers held the tie breaker.
New Falcons Head Coach Kevin Stefanski recently spoke to his excitement for Penix heading into 2026. Stefanski spoke highly of his rehab process and talked about things on tape that he excels, such as layering his throws and pushing the ball to different areas of the field.
Stefanski was a little bit more cool on Kirk Cousins acknowledging their existing relationship, but stopping shy of a ringing endorsement. From a dynasty perspective, Penix returning would be excellent for wide receiver Drake London. Just prior to Penix’s injury, London had 3 WR1 overall weeks in the span of 4 games.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
The Atlanta Falcons had a late season surge with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and they just fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. This leaves plenty of question marks around the organization.
Cousins could potentially hit free agency after the contract restructure, March 13th is the decision point. Cousins proved that he could still be a starting quarterback in the NFL in the second half of the season.
What happens with Cousins and how the Flacons address quarterback, head coach and general manager will have impacts on Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts, who is also a pending free agent.
Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)
Drake London will miss Sunday’s road matchup with the Jets as the Falcons aim to stay in playoff contention. At 4-7 and 2 games back of the Panthers and Buccaneers for the division, it appears those hopes are slipping away.
London is sitting as the WR7 overall in fantasy and has had 3 WR1 overall games this season. With Kirk Cousins taking over for an injured Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons will turn to Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts in the passing game. Expect the offense to primarily run through both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The Falcons get the Seahawks at home in Week 14 where fantasy managers will cling to hope that London can return.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
