Kirk Cousins will be searching for a new home this offseason.
After two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins is expected to be released, per the Athletic. The quarterback signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in the 2024 offseason before being replaced by Michael Penix Jr. Midway through the season. In 2025, when Penix Jr. Missed the back half of the season with a knee injury, Cousins performed valiantly in his absence, leading Atlanta to a 5–3 record that included a four-game winning streak to end the season.
The quarterback finished the 2025 season throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. With his tenure in Atlanta over, the 37-year-old will be looking for the fourth team of his career.
Here are some potential landing spots for the veteran signal caller.
MORE: Revisiting Kirk Cousins' parting of ways with the Vikings
Kirk Cousins landing spots
Minnesota Vikings
Why not a reunion in the Twin Cities?
According to @Charley_Walters, there is a “strong possibility” Kirk Cousins joins the Vikings this offseason.
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) January 25, 2026
Walters also notes it “could cost the Vikings between $15M and $20M to sign Cousins”.
(Via: @PioneerPress) pic.twitter.com/AYpr29kM8W
Cousins spent six seasons in Minnesota, a period defined by high-level statistical production and established leadership. He maintained a career passer rating of 101.2 with the team, throwing for 23,265 yards and 171 touchdowns. His time in Minnesota ended abruptly in 2023 due to a torn Achilles, leading to his free-agent move to Atlanta in 2024.
This was the last time Kirk Cousins was wearing a Vikings uniform…
— Leighton James (@LGlodek) March 11, 2024
Cheering on his backup QB moments after tearing his achilles.
An absolutely awful way to end a 6 season tenure with the Vikings. Pic.twitter.com/8XyR1GolgV
With young quarterback J.J. McCarthy coming off a season hampered by injuries, the Vikings are reportedly looking for a "solid veteran" to provide competition and mentorship. Cousins, who has already had success in Kevin O'Connell's system, could be viewed as a high-floor option who could push McCarthy or serve as an elite backup.
MORE: Vikings named best landing spot for $180 million quarterback
New York Jets
Once again, the Jets will be searching for a new quarterback in 2026. New York signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $30 million deal in 2025, but Fields was benched midway through the season in favor of Tyrod Taylor. While the Jets were expected to take a quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, Oregon's Dante Moore staying in school has made options shallow.
Cousins can be an ideal fit for a New York team desperately trying to end the longest playoff drought in major sports. In 2018 — before they drafted Sam Darnold — the Jets were in a high bidding-war for Cousins, who was the highest-sought quarterback on the free agent market. They offered Cousins a three-year, $90 million deal; but, the quarterback used the Jets' offer as leverage to force the Vikings to increase their price. Once Minnesota hit $28M a year, he felt the $2M annual "discount" was worth the chance to join a Super Bowl-ready roster.
This time around, Cousins once again would not be joining a contender. But, he would be the favorite to start Week 1 in 2026.
MORE: NFL writer blasts Aaron Glenn for 2025 season
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have two young quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, but under new coach Todd Monken the team's direction at quarterback is still unclear. If Monken views the sophomore duo of Sanders and Gabriel as still needing development and Deshaun Watson is not the answer, Cousins emerges as a compelling low-cost option.
Cousins would immediately raise Cleveland’s floor, providing the veteran efficiency and intermediate accuracy that Monken’s systems historically thrive on. For a Browns team with a Super Bowl-caliber defensive unit, a "bridge" year with Cousins could be the catalyst that transforms them from a rebuilding experiment into a legitimate AFC contender.
MORE: Todd Monken has a strong link to one QB in the 2026 NFL Draft
Arizona Cardinals
The signs point to the Cardinals having a new quarterback in 2026, with Kyler Murray not delivering the results in seven seasons. Arizona does not have a head coach yet and the best quarterback on the roster is Jacoby Brissett.
With receiving options like Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. And Michael Wilson, the Cardinals have potential to be a high-octane offense with a high-octane thrower. Adding onto the fire here is offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who was Cousins' assistant quarterbacks coach back in Minnesota in 2018 and 2019.
MORE: Rumor from The Athletic reveals Arizona's top three candidates