Falcons plan to release Kirk Cousins, QB focused on playing in 2026
Kirk Cousins talked to USA TODAY Sports days before it was revealed Falcons plan to release him. Cousins explains he remains focused on playing in 2026.
It’s almost time for college football’s top pro prospects to sprint, pass, bench press and interview their way to their next job. The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is held all week in Indianapolis, an opportunity for nearly 400 NFL draft candidates to show off their tangibles – and a few intangibles – to coaches and team executives looking to bolster their rosters with young talent.
But before we get to all the on-field measuring at Lucas Oil Stadium, the top brass from teams around the league are set to address reporters in Indianapolis. USA TODAY Sports is live in Indianapolis, and will bring you the latest news and rumors from the combine across the week. Return here for the latest from the Feb. 24 coach and general manager appearances.
INDIANAPOLIS – San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch addressed an ESPN report stating the team and perennial left tackle Trent Williams are at loggerheads contractually given the $39 million salary cap number the 12-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to carry in 2026.
“It’s up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle,” Lynch said Feb. 24 at the NFL’s annual scouting combine. “There’s some unique circumstances in that we all know what Trent is as a player, how great of a player he’s been. (But) he’s gonna be 38 years old, and so there’s some things that go into that. But I think we’re all on the same page and feel very positive about where that’s going.
“I think we’re on the right track. I know this: He’s been a tremendous to our organization, we love having him. My hope – and I’ve shared this with Trent – is that his name’s up in the rafters with the greats that have played for the Niners, because he certainly fits that category.
Lynch was more definitive about the future of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who missed the 2025 season with a knee injury – though it also became apparent that he and the team were headed for a divorce as communication lapsed between the parties even though he’d signed a four-year, $120 million extension prior to the 2024 campaign.
“I think nothing will happen until the new league year starts, and then when it happens – kinda semantics,” Lynch said of Aiyuk.
INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard finds himself in something of a pickle given he could lose two of this offseason’s most prized free agents with quarterback Daniel Jones and deep threat receiver Alec Pierce both on expiring contracts.
“Had great discussions about both of them. We’ll continue to work this week and see if we can get something done,” Ballard said Tuesday about the state of negotiations with those players, who both had their best seasons individually in 2025 even though Jones’ campaign was cut short by an Achilles injury.
“It’s been very positive. Look, when both sides are drive to get it done, it usually works out the right way.”
Ballard said the franchise tag “is a tool we have” but he hopes nots to use it. Ballard is historically averse to using the tag – employing it just once in his nine seasons in the GM role.
The star left tackle is entering the final year of his contract, with $22.2 million in non-guaranteed base pay and a $10 million option bonus that is due April 1. The 37-year-old and the team are “struggling” to find a solution and is expected to be released if the two sides “can’t bridge their differences,” per Adam Schefter.
For the first time since 2019, the Atlanta Falcons have utilized the franchise tag. The 25-year-old tight end was drafted fourth overall in 2021 and is coming off one of his best seasons.
“We’re not in the business of letting go really good players,” general manager Ian Cunningham said earlier on Radio Row at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pitts has been given the non-exclusive franchise tag which means Pitts is allowed to negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet. If that happens, the Falcons can either match that offer or let the tight end sign with a new team in exchange for two first-round draft picks. Teams can also negotiate the terms of a trade if they prefer.
Jets running back Breece Hall is set to hit free agency. Well, maybe not according to GM Darren Mougey.
“The tags are an option,” Mougey said Wednesday, responding to a question if a franchise tag or transition tag is an option.
“Ideally we’d find a way to get a deal done and keep Breece around. …. We’ll find a way to keep Breece here, if we can’t get a deal done.”
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, but general manager Nick Caserio said the talk was “moronic” and that Stroud will be their QB in 2026.
“He’s our quarterback. He ain’t going anywhere,” he said. … “This league is about ups and downs.”
The Bears head coach had good things to say about his backup passer at the combine, saying he’s a starting-caliber player
“I’m probably of the mind that he’s one of the best 32 (quarterbacks) in the NFL,” Johnson said at the combine.
Bagent is currently under contract through the 2027 season, so any interested teams would have to trade for him.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins will be a free agent come March, as Falcons GM Ian Cunningham told radio station 92.9 The Game that the team intends to release Cousins on the first day of the league year. “Out of respect for Kirk and Michael (Penix Jr.), felt like that was the right decision,” The Athletic’s Josh Kendall reports.
Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan told reporters that he’s been in communication with Aaron Rodgers but had nothing new to report on a potential return. “I don’t see this going like it did last year,” Khan said, according to ESPN Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor.
The NFL announced that the Detroit Lions will be one of the participants in this fall’s NFL game in Munich, Germany. The game will be one of a league-most nine NFL international games, played at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium.
Read more about the announcement here.
USA TODAY NFL draft expert Ayrton Ostly will be reporting live this week from Indianapolis. Ahead of the combine, he compiled a comprehensive combine guide so you know when drills are happening, the top prospects to watch, and everything to know as the NFL prepares for its 2026 draft. Read our NFL combine guide here.
- TV channel: NFL Network
- Stream: NFL+ | Fubo
Stream the NFL combine on Fubo
On-field events will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Monday, Feb. 23
- Coach and general manager media availabilities
Tuesday, Feb. 24
- Coach and general manager media availabilities
Wednesday, Feb. 25
- Coach and general manager media availabilities
- Defensive line, kicker and linebacker media interviews
Thursday, Feb. 26
- Defensive line, kicker and linebacker measurements and on-field drills
- Defensive back and tight end media interviews
Friday, Feb. 27
- Defensive back and tight end measurements and on-field drills
- Defensive line, kicker and linebacker bench presses
- Quarterback, running back and wide receiver media interviews
Saturday, Feb. 28
- Quarterback, running back and wide receiver measurements and on-field drills
- Defensive back and tight end bench presses
- Offensive line media interviews
Sunday, March 1
- Offensive line measurements and on-field drills
- Quarterback, running back and wide receiver bench presses
When is the 2026 NFL draft?
This week’s combine is the appetizer for the main course of the NFL offseason: the league’s annual draft. This year’s draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
