Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said Tuesday that quarterback Kirk Cousins has been informed he will be released on March 11, the first day of the new NFL league year. Cunningham disclosed the decision during an appearance on local radio station 92.9 The Game, indicating the organization has communicated its plans directly to the veteran quarterback.
By setting March 11 as the release date, the move will become official when the new league year begins, which is the standard point on the NFL calendar for teams to execute many roster changes. Once the transaction is processed, Cousins will be free to sign with another team.
Cunningham, who is in his first year as the Falcons’ general manager, is beginning to shape the roster according to his vision alongside the team’s leadership and coaching staff. Informing Cousins ahead of time provides clarity for both the player and the organization as they prepare for the offseason. It also signals that Atlanta intends to move in a different direction at quarterback.
Cousins, a longtime NFL starter, has extensive experience and a history of production in the league. His release will place a proven veteran passer on the market at the outset of the league year, a period when teams often address key needs and reconfigure depth charts.
For the Falcons, the announcement frames a pivotal offseason at the sport’s most important position. The decision suggests Atlanta is evaluating its options under center, whether through players already on the roster, potential acquisitions from other teams, or incoming prospects. The timing of the move, aligned with the league calendar, allows the franchise to position itself for subsequent decisions at quarterback and across the roster.
Cunningham did not elaborate publicly on further details surrounding the decision during the radio appearance, and the team has not released additional official statements regarding its plans at quarterback beyond the notice that Cousins will be released when the league year begins on March 11.
