Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Caleb Williams

Tuesday, January 6, 12:56 PM

The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins agreed to tweak the final two years of the QB's contract on Tuesday, setting the stage for a decision on his future to be made by the third day of the new league year on March 13, a source told ESPN's Field Yates. Cousins now has a guarantee for $67.9 million for the 2027 season that will vest on March 13. The restructure also includes reducing Cousins' 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. Atlanta's front office is in flux following the firing of general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday, but the Falcons could still move on from Cousins before March 13 as a post-June 1 release. A release of that kind would split the dead money on Cousins' contract over 2026 and 2027, as opposed to the team taking on the full amount in 2026. The 37-year-old played in 10 games this season, including starting the final seven following Michael Penix Jr.'s season-ending knee injury. Cousins was serviceable, throwing 10 TDs and five interceptions, but he probably isn't in the team's long-term plans at the position.

Thursday, January 15, 10:18 AM

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland went nuclear in the Wild Card Round, hauling in eight of 15 targets for 137 yards in the 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers. Loveland was disappointing early in the season, ranking as the TE50 through the first eight weeks. The 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has ranked as the TE2 since Week 9, trailing only Trey McBride, and has fully cemented himself as a top option at the position in the divisional round. He faces a Los Angeles Rams defense that has ranked in the middle of the pack against tight ends this season. The Bears have a crowded receiver room, including Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Luther Burden III, but Loveland's connection with quarterback Caleb Williams stands out, and the rookie tight end is a strong option against the Rams.