Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Lamar Jackson

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, January 5, 12:35 AM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, along with four carries for nine yards in a 26-24 Week 18 loss in a win-or-go-home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson returned for the season finale after missing last week's game due to a back injury and delivered his most efficient performance of the season by yards per attempt (13.2) on only 18 throws, but he fell short of winning a third straight AFC North title. The star quarterback has battled through a long list of injuries throughout the entire season and hasn't experienced the same highs as his excellent 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old signal-caller threw three touchdowns for the first time since returning from his early-season hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Dolphins, and the second time he's done so in 10 career games against the Steelers. Jackson will have some time to recover from his injuries in the offseason, and he could return to elite QB1 status with better health in 2026.