Atlanta, GA
Falcons release QB Kirk Cousins with post-June 1 designation
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have released veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins with a post-June 1 designation.
It was an anticipated move after general manager Ian Cunningham said during an appearance on 92.9 The Game while at the NFL Combine that Atlanta would part ways with the quarterback at the start of the league year “out of respect” for Cousins.
Cousins signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in March 2024 after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was named to the Pro Bowl three times. Cousins began the 2023 season playing at a very high level, but an Achilles injury ended his year early. He was brought to Atlanta to provide stability to the quarterback position.
The 2024 season started off well for Cousins and the Falcons. He led the team to a signature comeback win in Philadelphia on “Monday Night Football” in Week 2. Then, on the night Matt Ryan was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor, Cousins threw for 509 yards in the team’s Week 5 overtime win vs. the Buccaneers and broke Ryan’s previous franchise record for most passing yards in a single game. However, following a five-game stretch late in the year during which he threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass, Cousins was benched in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
In 2024, Cousins completed 66.9% of his passes thrown for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
His future in Atlanta was a topic of discussion during the 2025 offseason. Early on, Falcons leadership expressed that the organization was comfortable moving forward with Cousins as Penix’s backup, and that is how he began the season. Cousins ultimately started the final seven games for Atlanta, though, after Penix sustained a season-ending knee injury. He led the team on a four-game win streak to end the season.
Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions through eight games started and 10 games played in 2025.
Sen. Raphael Warnock and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens celebrated the 21st Century Road to Housing Act on Monday. The new law aims to make housing construction easier and to prevent corporations from buying large amounts of single-family homes.
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The Atlanta Hawks are now 3-0 in Las Vegas.
Despite being down some of their most talented players, such as Kingston Flemings,Asa Newell, and Zuby Ejiofor, the Hawks notched another win in Summer League, this time taking down the Boston Celtics. Overall, it was the Hawks 5th straight win in Summer League.
What are the biggest takeaways from today’s game?
1. Kobe Johnson Continues to Impress
Kobe Johnson has been impressive all Summer long and is making his case to be the last two-way contract for the Hawks. Atlanta already has Keshon Gilbert and RayJ Dennis in two of the two-way spots for next season and are looking for a third player who they can continue to develop.
With the Hawks being very shorthanded today against the Celtics, Johnson stepped up and played very well. In 13 first half minutes, Johnson scored 19 points on 7-10 shooting and 3-4 from three-point range, which is the most encouraging part of his performance. He continued that into the second half and was arguably the best player on the floor today for the Hawks.
Johnson finished today’s game with 30 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Johnson has high-level defensive skills, but he has shown offensive growth over the course of the past week and he is making a real case to be a part of the roster as a two-way player.
2. Henri Veesaar takes advantage of his opportunity
With so many bigs out today, it was going to be the Henri Veesaar show for Atlanta.
He did not disappoint. Veesaar was able to score 20 points on 7-12 shooting (4-6 from three), as well as pulling in four rebounds, and three assists.
As a scorer, Veesaar was at his best today, stretching the floor and scoring the ball off the pick and roll. He showed why the Hawks moved up to take him in the second round of the draft and if he can continue this development into the season, perhaps he can be closer to playing than initially thought.
3. Hawks win short-handed
Atlanta has one of the most talented rosters in Vegas this summer and despite missing their two first round picks from this year’s draft (Flemings and Ejiofor) and their first round pick from last year’s draft (Newell), Atlanta did not have much of a problem today with Boston.
The Celtics were missing a couple of important players today as well, but the Hawks had no trouble in this game, nearly leading by 30 points in the second half. The three-point shooting was strong, the defense forced turnovers, and they kept the Celtics cool from three.
It was an impressive all-around victory for the Hawks and one of their better victories from start to finish.
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