Sports
Report: Falcons to cut Kirk Cousins before new league year
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kirk Cousins on the Opening Drive show at the SiriusXM NFL radio set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirk Cousins soon will get to decide where he wants to play in 2026 — or whether he wants to play at all — as the Atlanta Falcons are expected to part ways with the veteran quarterback before the new league year begins in mid-March, ESPN reported Saturday.
Last month, the 37-year-old Cousins and the Falcons agreed to modify the final two seasons of his four-year, $180 million contract. The adjusted deal gave the Falcons salary-cap flexibility and also set up a decision to be made about Cousins’ future in Atlanta by the third day of the 2026 NFL league year on March 13.
The modified deal reduced his 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. The difference of $32.9 million matches the increase of his 2027 salary.
Cousins, who has a no-trade clause, still has a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus for 2026.
Per ESPN, Cousins has not ruled out playing next season. But if he retires after 14 NFL seasons, he could move over to television after appearing on CBS’ pregame show during this postseason.
The Falcons, meanwhile, have not committed to Michael Penix Jr. as the starter. Penix, who suffered a torn left ACL in November and could need nine to 12 months to recover, said in recent interviews that he expects to be ready for the season opener in September.
Atlanta president of football Matt Ryan said that no position is set, and that the front office would have “a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.”
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games (eight starts). Atlanta was 5-3 in Cousins’ starts, including a four-game winning streak to close the season in a three-way tie for the NFC South crown.
Whomever the starting QB is, he will be under the guidance of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was hired last month, along with new general manager Ian Cunningham. Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot were dismissed early last month following a second straight 8-9 campaign.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Garrett Mitchell lifts Brewers over Royals
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) throws to first base over Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images Garrett Mitchell doubled, homered, and racked up five RBIs for the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Luis Rengifo was 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run, and Christian Yelich was 2-for-5 with two runs for the Brewers. Jac Caglianone was 2-for-3 with a walk, and Lane Thomas and Bobby Witt Jr. each had an RBI for the Royals.
Milwaukee starting pitcher Chad Patrick (1-0) picked up the win as he went five innings, gave up four hits, walked three, and struck out three. Luinder Avila (0-1) took the loss for the Royals, as he only lasted three innings, surrendered eight hits, five runs, walked three, and struck out four.
Trevor Megill threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the season for MIlwaukee which won its third straight game.
The Brewers jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Mitchell drove a high fast ball to the wall in right center field that plated Rengifo and Yelich in the first inning. In his next at bat, Mitchell launched Avila’s hanging curveball deep over the right field fence for a three-run home run, as Milwaukee extended its lead to 5-0 in the top of the third.
Vinnie Pasquantino led off the sixth inning with a single and advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch by Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby. After a Salvador Perez ground out, Jac Caglianone’s infield single placed runners on the corners for the Royals with one out.
But Ashby struck out both Starling Marte and Isaac Collins to end the Royals’ threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kansas City finally got on the board when pinch hitter Thomas lined an RBI double into the left field corner that scored Nick Loftin as the Royals cut their deficit to 5-1. Maikel Garcia’s ground out to first moved Thomas to third. Witt’s sizzling one-hooper to second base led to an infield RBI single and the Royals pulled closer at 5-2.
Megill issued walks to Thomas and Witt in the bottom of the ninth but struck out Pasquantino looking to end the threat.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
Jul 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Progressive Field during a rain delay before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians’ home game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather, with a traditional doubleheader scheduled for Sunday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Slated to start Saturday for the Cubs, right-hander Edward Cabrera is listed as Sunday’s Game 1 starter. Left-hander Parker Messick is listed as the Guardians’ Game 1 starter. The Game 2 starters have not been announced.
Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter, who entered Saturday tied for the major league lead with five home runs, belted a two-run shot in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Cubs in the series opener.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dodgers SS Mookie Betts (back) exits in first inning vs. Nationals
Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts exited in the middle of the first inning of Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals due to right lower back pain, the club said.
Betts apparently was injured while the running the bases. He drew a walk and scored on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double. Betts slowly walked toward the Dodgers’ dugout after scoring.
A further update is expected after the contest.
Betts, 33, is batting just .179 (5-for-28) with two homers and seven RBIs in eight games.
Miguel Rojas replaced Betts at shortstop.
–Field Level Media
Garrett Mitchell lifts Brewers over Royals
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
