The Falcons have told QB Kirk Cousins that they'll release him at the beginning of the 2026 league year, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.

The Falcons are hiring Kevin Stefanski as their new HC. He's expected to retain DC Jeff Ulbrich and bring Tommy Rees with him from Cleveland to serve as OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Stefanski spent the past six seasons as Browns HC, compiling a 45-56 record. He went 37-30 with two playoff appearances over the first four years, the first of two coming with QB Baker Mayfield. Stefanski was in Minnesota for 14 seasons prior to Cleveland, serving as OC in his final year there. That 2019 Vikings team was quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins, who remains signed with the Falcons as of now. QB Michael Penix is also on the roster but is working back from ACL surgery that's expected to sideline him into August. QB is the big question for Atlanta heading into 2026. But Stefanski will be armed with a sturdy offensive line and a pair of high-end skill players in RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London.

Bijan Robinson hit the 20-carry mark in back-to-back games for the first time this season, but Robinson was held to 86 rushing yards and no TDs in Atlanta's 37-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Falcons were officially eliminated from postseason contention after dropping their seventh game in their last eight outings. Robinson tied a season-low with just 2 receptions and his 8 receicving yards were his second-lowest of the season.

The Falcons announced Wednesday that QB Michael Penix Jr. will miss the rest of the season after further evaluation determined that he needs surgery. Penix partially tore his left ACL. That officially puts the offense under Kirk Cousins' control the rest of the way, with Easton Stick the likely backup.

The knee injury that knocked QB Michael Penix Jr. out of Sunday's loss to the Panthers might end his season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Atlanta announced after this initial posting that Penix is headed to IR, meaning he'll miss at least four games. The Falcons already sit 3-7, so it's tough to imagine bringing Penix back in a month making much sense.

The Falcons believe QB Michael Penix Jr. aggravated the bone bruise in his left knee Sunday that cost him a game earlier this season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Panthers and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more. Penix will be replaced by QB Kirk Cousins.

Falcons HC Raheem Morris said Wednesday that he feels "really good" about QB Michael Penix's chances of playing vs. the Patriots this weekend, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Penix remains "day to day" with the bone bruise in his knee, Morris added. We'll keeps tabs on his practice participation over the next few days. Penix has been inconsistent this season. But, after what we saw from QB Kirk Cousins last week, Penix's return would be good news for Atlanta's offense.

Entering Week 8, Falcons WR Darnell Mooney appeared positioned for strong volume. The team ruled out WR Drake London, which removed a 31% target share. But strong fantasy numbers never materialized, as Mooney caught only 1 of 4 targets (12.9%) for 11 yards alongside backup QB Kirk Cousins.

Falcons QB Michael Penix (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Dolphins. He was limited in practice all week and reportedly has a good chance to be back for next Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins. QB Kirk Cousins makes his first start of the season today. He crumbled down the stretch last year, eventually getting benched for Penix. The matchup against a leaky Dolphins pass defense helps Cousins' QB2 case, but he'll be without top WR Drake London.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is "highly likely" to start Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a bone bruise to his left knee. Penix practiced all week but in limited fashion, and Cousins got reps with the first team.

Falcons QB Michael Penix (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins. He was limited in practice all week. It doesn’t seem like Penix’s bone bruise is serious, but he’s not a lock to start this weekend. QB Kirk Cousins would step in if Penix can’t go. We’ll look for further updates on the situation and get Atlanta’s inactives around 11:30 am ET.

Falcons QB Michael Penix is "day to day" with a bone bruise to his foot suffered in Sunday night's loss to the 49ers, HC Raheem Morris said Monday. It sounds like Penix has a chance to be ready for this weekend's game against the Dolphins, but we'll keep a close eye on his status throughout the week. A healthy Penix would have been a viable Week 8 spot starter against a bad Miami defense, but he'd be tougher to trust playing through this foot injury. If Penix can't go, Atlanta would turn to QB Kirk Cousins, who would also be a low-end matchup-based fantasy option.

Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. was benched in the fourth quarter of Atlanta's 30-0 loss in Carolina. Kirk Cousins relieved Penix and finished the game in mop-up duties. The Falcons were 3.5-point favorites, but were never really in the game.

Saints QB Derek Carr has announced he'll retire. We already knew there was a chance he'd miss some or all of the coming season because of an injury to his right shoulder. But this news obviously heightens the importance of rookie QB Tyler Shough's quick development and/or another plan for a "bridge" starter.

ESPN's Peter Schrager revealed that Falcons QB Kirk Cousins could be the fallback option for the Steelers if Aaron Rodgers does not sign with the team. Their current depth chart consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard, placing it among the worst in the NFL.

Regarding a potential trade of QB Kirk Cousins, ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes that the Falcons “have had discussions with teams – and have asked for a lot in return.”

We all assumed the Falcons would unload QB Kirk Cousins in some way this offseason. They committed to then rookie Michael Penix Jr. at the end of last year. So why keep the huge contract around, especially for a guy who hasn't had to play backup since 2014? But Yahoo's Charles Robinson says he believes Cousins might stay in Atlanta.

The Browns and QB Deshaun Watson agreed to a restructured contract that will have him back with the team in 2025. Watson did not give up any of his remaining $92 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and didn't have his 2025 cap hit adjusted. But the new deal softens Watson's cap hits beyond next season, particularly starting in 2027. In other words, the Browns know they're stuck with Watson in 2025 and likely 2026 but are already putting in place a plan to eventually move on. Rapoport adds that Cleveland is expected to bring in competition for Watson this offseason, with QB Kirk Cousins a potential candidate. Cousins played under Browns HC Kevin Stefanski for two seasons in Minnesota. A Watson/Cousins QB room would not inspire much confidence.