The season for the Atlanta Falcons will come to an end in their regular-season finale in Week 18. After that, the questions will shift to what the team plans to do at quarterback entering 2026.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot believed they had the quarterback situation solved back in 2024. Instead, they may find themselves right back at square one in 2026.
Atlanta signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million contract just before selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The entire process felt preposterous at the time. Then it didn’t. And now it does again. Morris turned to Penix late in the 2024 season for the final three games, signaling him as the future starter in 2025. However, the former first-round pick suffered a midseason injury, opening the door for Cousins to reclaim the job. Now, Atlanta faces a quarterback conundrum with no obvious solution.
Penix remains unproven and likely won’t be ready to start the 2026 season, while Cousins could be cut to save $35 million. If that happens, the question becomes simple — who is under center when the Falcons open next season?
Falcons Named Best Landing Spot For Bengals’ Joe Burrow
One name Falcons fans probably never expected to see linked to Atlanta’s quarterback situation is Joe Burrow. But BetMGM currently lists the Falcons as the No. 3 best landing spot for the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback.
Speaking with reporters on December 10, Burrow made comments that raised eyebrows about his long-term future, hinting at either frustration or something deeper.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this. I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? That is the mindset I am trying to bring to the table,” Burrow said.
When asked directly if he was frustrated, Burrow added, “There are just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on.”
Burrow also noted that his comments weren’t just about football, referencing personal matters as well, though he declined to go into specifics.
While Burrow’s career in Cincinnati began on a high note — highlighted by a Super Bowl appearance in his second season — the years since have been far more uneven. Injuries have become a recurring issue, including this season, when he suffered a significant turf toe injury that required surgery.
Joe Burrow Is Probably a Pipe Dream For Falcons
Burrow may simply have been speaking candidly in the moment. He’s known for his subdued, almost detached demeanor. Even if his comments were meaningful, they’re far more likely tied to questions about his longevity in football rather than a desire to play elsewhere.
It’s also highly unlikely Cincinnati would trade him. Burrow still has four years remaining on the five-year, $275 million contract he signed in 2023. And even if the Bengals entertained offers, Atlanta likely couldn’t afford him — largely because of Cousins’ contract.
According to Spotrac, Cousins carries a $57.5 million cap hit in 2026, the sixth-highest in the league, along with $35 million in dead cap, including a $10 million roster bonus. At the same time, the Falcons must also plan extensions for Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and eventually Bijan Robinson.
Releasing Cousins after June 1 would provide some financial relief by spreading the dead cap hit over two seasons. Still, Burrow jumping from one frustrating situation to another — especially with a Falcons team that has missed the playoffs eight straight seasons — likely wouldn’t do much to improve his outlook.
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