Atlanta Falcons QB Ranked Worst Free Agent Deal in History

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was ranked the worst deal in free agency by BetMGM.

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Atlanta Falcons QB Ranked Worst Free Agent Deal in History

Owen Hillman

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 12:25 AM UTC·
2 min read

With the NFL’s free agency period close to commencing, the betting software BetMGM released its worst eight contracts in NFL history. They ranked Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins the worst out of all of these.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons. He was the top quarterback option in the 2024 free agency class after seven solid seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons used a first-round pick on Michael Penix that same offseason. However, they still expected Cousins to perform above average.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Cousins played in just 22 games with the Falcons, racking up 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He led the league in interceptions in 2024, and the Falcons benched him in Week 14. In 2025, he took over after Penix suffered a season-ending torn ACL, and he threw 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Falcons stated they intend to release Cousins by the start of the new league year.

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Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn SuccessSuccessSuccessImages

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There are two other quarterbacks on this list. Nick Foles’ deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars (four-year, $88 million) in 2019 ranked third. Brock Osweiler’s contract with the Houston Texans (four-year, $72 million) in 2016 ranked fifth.

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth’s deal ranks second on the list. Haynesworth signed a seven-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Redskins in 2009. He played two seasons with the Redskins, and they traded him to the New England Patriots in 2011. Haynesworth was waived by New England, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and released again after the 2011 season, marking an early end to his career.

Rounding out the list, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha’s five-year, $60 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 comes in at fourth. JC Jackson’s five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 places sixth. Former New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell and former New York Giants Kenny Golladay place seventh and eighth to complete the list.

BetMGM’s Eight Worst Contracts in Free Agency:

Kirk Cousins agent belongs in the Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/gmCNlyvcLi

— BetMGM

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(@BetMGM) March 1, 2026

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