Kirk Cousins Steps into Broadcasting Role During Falcons' Pivotal Offseason
Kirk Cousins will not play football during the NFL Divisional Round this weekend. Yet the veteran quarterback remains firmly in the postseason spotlight. Just days after his Atlanta Falcons team missed the playoffs, Cousins accepted a high-profile media position that adds fresh intrigue to discussions about his professional future.
Quarterback Transition from Field to Studio
CBS announced on January 14 that Cousins will serve as a guest studio analyst on The NFL Today during the Divisional Round and AFC Championship game. He will appear alongside established broadcast personalities including Bill Cowher, Nate Burleson, James Brown, and Kyle Long throughout the network's playoff coverage.
This opportunity emerged following Matt Ryan's departure from CBS. Ryan left broadcasting to accept a newly created role as president of football operations with the Falcons. This created the unusual situation where one former Atlanta quarterback moved into the front office while the team's current quarterback filled his former television chair.
Media Experience and Uncertain Playing Future
Cousins brings previous media experience to this role. He joined ESPN during the divisional round of the 2024 playoffs and was scheduled to appear on NBC's Football Night in America during Atlanta's 2024 bye week before canceling. The quarterback also featured prominently in Netflix's documentary series Quarterback, which provided intimate access to the daily routines of NFL starters.
The timing of this media move is particularly notable. Cousins recently addressed his playing future following Atlanta's 19-17 Week 18 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
"Hard to know," Cousins said about his future. "I would like to keep playing, but we'll see how things play out in March or even after that. I would love to be back here. We'll see how things play out."
Atlanta finished outside the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Despite ending the year with a four-game winning streak, the Falcons lost a three-way NFC South tiebreaker that eliminated them from postseason contention.
Contract Complexities and Organizational Changes
Cousins remains under contract through 2027 after signing a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024 that included substantial guarantees. Atlanta restructured the final two seasons of this contract to create financial flexibility, establishing a critical decision window in early March.
The Falcons can release Cousins before March 13, spreading approximately $67.5 million in remaining guaranteed money across the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This move would provide significant salary cap relief as the organization searches for new leadership following the firings of general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris.
On-Field Performance and Off-Field Ventures
Cousins' role on the field changed dramatically over the past two seasons. After being benched late in 2024, he entered 2025 as the backup behind Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. When Penix suffered a season-ending ACL tear, Cousins returned to the starting lineup.
Across 10 appearances and eight starts in 2025, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Atlanta compiled a 5-3 record in his starts, including the late four-game winning streak that kept their playoff hopes alive until the final weekend.
Beyond football, Cousins expanded his off-field profile this month by accepting a role as brand ambassador for AWOL Vision and its premium sub-brand Valerion. This partnership includes an appearance at CES 2026, where the company plans to debut its Aetherion projector series.
"I love how AWOL Vision makes every moment at home feel vivid and alive," Cousins said about the partnership. "The clarity and scale pull you right into the action, whether it's a big game, a movie night, or a gathering with family and friends. It's about creating 'wow moments' with a truly immersive experience."
Strategic Positioning for Future Opportunities
None of these moves confirm retirement plans for the veteran quarterback. However, they do mirror the path taken by several veteran quarterbacks who kept media opportunities open while remaining active players.
Cousins will turn 38 before the 2026 NFL season begins. Whether Atlanta keeps him on the roster, releases him, or watches him explore free agency, the next eight weeks will define the final chapter of his playing career far more than two weekends in a CBS studio.
The message remains clear. Even after another playoff miss, Kirk Cousins is strategically positioning himself so that football, in some form, continues to be part of his professional future.
