Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Adonai Mitchell

Tuesday, February 24, 5:56 AM

Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said that the team plans to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the first day of the new league year on March 11. If Cousins were on the roster for the start of the new league year, the Falcons would owe him $67.9 million guaranteed. It's highly unlikely that the Falcons will find a trade partner for Cousins before the start of the new league year. The 37-year-old veteran lost his starting job to Michael Penix Jr. (knee) late in the 2024 season and was the backup last year until Penix suffered a season-ending knee injury. In 10 games (eight starts) in 2025, Cousins completed a career-low 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions for Atlanta. The four-time Pro Bowler is nearing the twilight of his career, although he could have a chance to compete for a starting job in 2026, depending on where he lands in free agency.

Wednesday, February 25, 8:49 AM

After being acquired by the New York Jets from the Indianapolis Colts at the 2025 trade deadline, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell saw the best opportunity for consistent playing time of his young career. The 23-year-old recorded 32 receptions for 464 yards and zero touchdowns across the first 25 games of his career with the Colts. Across eight games with the Jets after the trade, Mitchell hauled in 24 catches for 301 yards and two scores. Mitchell played at least 80% of New York's offensive snaps in six of his eight contests, and he averaged over seven targets per game. In 2026, the Jets will welcome back star wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. Wilson will be the team's clear number one pass-catcher, but the Jets appear to have plenty of opportunity for secondary pass-game options to emerge. As a former second-round pick who has flashed upside at different points in his first two NFL seasons, Mitchell could have the inside track on the team's WR2 job heading into 2026.