The Atlanta Falcons are releasing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and have placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, signaling major roster changes ahead of NFL free agency.
The Atlanta Falcons have announced their decision to release 14-year veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins when NFL free agency opens next month. Cousins, who started 22 of 34 games over the past two seasons, was set to have his $67.9 million 2027 salary fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster by the third day of the new league year. In a separate significant move, the Falcons placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, preventing him from entering free agency. Pitts, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, earned second-team All-Pro honors last season with a career-high 88 receptions and five touchdowns, and is expected to make approximately $16 million this year under the tag. The deadline for teams to use the franchise or transition tag is next Tuesday.
