As the 2025 NFL season concludes, a pivotal question looms over the Atlanta Falcons and the broader league: has veteran quarterback, Kirk Cousins, at age 37, done enough to secure a starting role in 2026? The answer is nuanced, blending his history of consistent production with current age, injury concerns, and complex contractual realities. While some factors point toward a backup role, recent performances and a potential lack of viable alternatives suggest “Captain Kirk” may very well remain under center, whether in Atlanta or with a new team.
Has Captain Kirk Done Enough to Start in 2026?
A Career Built on Consistency, Not Championships
Cousins’ NFL resume, spanning over a decade with the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, and Falcons, is impressive in its statistical steadiness. He boasts four Pro Bowl selections and consistently generates 4,000-yard passing seasons when healthy, maintaining a strong career passer rating (97.0 prior to the 2025 season). He is known for his professionalism, meticulous preparation, and ability to manage an offense effectively, avoiding the costly turnovers that can derail a team. For a team with a solid supporting cast and a strong running game, Cousins is the kind of quarterback who can elevate them to playoff contention.
However, the prevailing “good, not great” narrative persists, largely due to a lack of deep playoff runs or Super Bowl appearances during his tenures. This has often led to an ongoing debate about his ability to perform in high-pressure, legacy-defining games.
The 2025 Season: A Complicating Factor
The 2025 season with the Falcons had added new layers of complexity. Cousins signed a significant four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta in the 2024 offseason, but the team also drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick, signaling a long-term plan beyond Cousins. After a mid-season injury to Penix, Cousins was thrust back into the starting role and, following some initial inconsistencies, began to find his stride.
In recent games, he has demonstrated he is still a capable passer, leading a notable fourth-quarter comeback and putting up solid numbers. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has stated that keeping Cousins in a starting role for 2026 is “absolutely on the table,” depending on Penix’s recovery timeline from his latest knee injury and overall team direction.
The Business of Football: The Cap Hit Conundrum
The biggest obstacle to Cousins remaining in Atlanta is financial. He is scheduled to carry a substantial $57.5 million cap hit in 2026. The Falcons would save around $35 million in cap space by releasing him with a post-June 1st designation, which makes a trade or release a very real possibility from a business perspective.
Cousins, for his part, still wants to be a full-time starter in the NFL, not the highest-paid backup. This desire, combined with the Falcons’ cap situation, means that even if he plays well, his future may lie with another franchise needing a veteran presence. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Cleveland Browns, who may need a stable “bridge” quarterback depending on what happens with Aaron Rodgers or if the Browns aren’t sold on Shedeur Sanders, could be potential landing spots.
A Starter, Just Maybe Not in Atlanta
Cousins has undeniably done enough to be a starter in the NFL in 2026. He possesses the skill set, experience, and professional dedication that many teams value in a starting quarterback. The question is not one of talent, but of fit, finance, and circumstance. Given Penix Jr.’s injury history and the Falcons’ desire to maximize their roster and build a strong offensive line to protect him, the most likely outcome is that Cousins will be a starting quarterback next season, it just might be in a different uniform. His performances down the stretch of the 2025 season are his ongoing audition for teams across the league.
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