NFL Combine Opens With QB Decisions and Epstein Deflections

Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine kicked off in Indianapolis with several teams revealing their plans—or at least hinting at intentions—around high-priced quarterbacks.

New Falcons GM Ian Cunningham confirmed what many had expected: Kirk Cousins will be cut to avoid owing him another $67.1 million in guaranteed money.

“I let him know that our plan would be to release him the first day of the league year,” Cunningham told Atlanta-based radio station 92.9 The Game. “Obviously, the contract structure allows for that to occur.”

The 2026 league year starts March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. “I feel like we owe that to him, I owe that to Kirk and his rep to be able to have that clarity moving forward,” Cunningham said.

Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said during his podium press conference that “everything is on the table” regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, “including the potential of a trade.” 

Miami owes Tagovailoa $54 million this season, and it would incur a $99.2 million dead-money salary-cap hit if the team releases him—although the cap charge could be spread out over two years, if the Dolphins wanted.

“We don’t know which way that’s going to go,” Sullivan said. “There’s a lot of different factors in play, a lot of conversations being had.”

Steelers GM Omar Khan said the “door is open” for Aaron Rodgers to return after playing the 2025 season on a one-year, $14.15 million deal. “We have had conversations with him,” Khan said. “I spoke with him last week. Mike McCarthy has spoken to him. He knows how we feel about him.”

Giants Deflect Tisch Talk

Giants GM Joe Schoen and new coach John Harbaugh both deflected questions about team co-owner and chairman Steve Tisch, who has denied any wrongdoing after the reveal of emails between him and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that appeared to discuss Epstein connecting Tisch with women.

“Steve released a statement a few weeks ago about the regrets, so I’m just going to leave it at that, and I’m not going to comment any more on that,” Schoen said when asked about the situation.

Harbaugh said he has “great respect for the ownership” of the Giants. The former Ravens coach said he has been able to meet with Tisch and fellow co-owner John Mara, as well as other members of the ownership group, including Chris Mara, Jon and Carolyn Tisch, and the Koch family.

“Have been nothing but great conversations, great interactions,” Harbaugh said. “And we’ve been talking about the business of football, the business of building our team, the business of putting our staffs together. … That’s what our conversations have been about.”

The NFL invited 319 prospects to this year’s combine, which runs from Feb. 23 through March 2.