Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Carson Wentz

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.

Monday, October 27, 5:37 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (shoulder) will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder and will be placed on Injured Reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. To fill Wentz's spot on the active 53-man roster, the Vikings claimed tight end Ben Sims on waivers from the division-rival Green Bay Packers. The 32-year-old Wentz started the team's last five games with J.J. McCarthy working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Wentz was in undeniable pain every time he was hit last Thursday night's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and now he won't play again this year. There were questions as to whether McCarthy would be ready to play in Week 9 against the division-rival Detroit Lions, but now that Wentz is out, the Vikes will be left with Max Brosmer if McCarthy isn't cleared to start this Sunday. Wentz finishes his 10th year in the NFL with 1,216 passing yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in his five starts.