Overview
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Atlanta reworked Cousins’ contract with the plan to cut him before March, freeing him to choose his next step.
- The restructure created a March guarantee trigger, with reported cap outcomes ranging from a $35 million dead charge on a pre–June 1 cut to an estimated $10.4 million 2026 cap loss cited by Spotrac.
- Cousins, 37, said he will “keep an open mind,” indicating he wants to play while also considering TV work or retirement.
- The Vikings are expected to add a veteran quarterback, with insiders naming Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Geno Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo, and a possible Cousins reunion as options.
- NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo noted Atlanta could still discuss a return given Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery, though multiple reports continue to point to an impending release.