Before the NFL's free agency frenzy can begin, teams have to take stock of their financial standing and weigh some difficult moves. All 32 teams must be compliant with the league's salary cap by the start of the new league year on March 12. For some, the coming days and weeks might simply entail restructuring contracts and clearing end-of-roster deals to clear that bar.
For others, however, the process will necessitate releasing some notable players in cost-cutting moves. The sequence is sure to reshape free agency, as players who are released will be free to sign with other organizations immediately, giving them a head start on their peers with expiring contracts. While more could become clear after the NFL scouting combine next week, here are some of the biggest names who could be cut soon (all cap figures courtesy of Over The Cap ): Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons General manager Terry Fontenot claimed at the end of the season that Atlanta is "very comfortable" with the notion of retaining Cousins as a backup to second-year signal-caller Michael Penix Jr.
, who took the starting reins in Week 16. But is that merely a bluff? While the Falcons would be saddled with a $65 million dead cap hit if they release the 13-year veteran, they can avoid his $10 million roster bonus for 2026 becoming guaranteed so long as they move on by March 17. Cousins seemed to be pushing his way to the exit by revealing earlier this month on "Good Morning Football" that he injured his right should.
