Kirk Cousins was a major offseason acquisition in the 2024 NFL season, signing a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, which includes $100 million guaranteed. Interestingly, Cousins was one of the two quarterbacks the Falcons added that offseason, as they used the 8th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Cousins, who spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2023, revealed that had he known the Falcons had a top-10 draft pick at quarterback, he might have reconsidered his move and stayed in the Midwest.
Cousins reflected on his decision in the second season premiere of Netflix’s “Quarterback,” stating that free agency information would have impacted his choice. He added that if two teams were competing to draft a high quarterback, there was no reason to leave the Vikings, a team that clearly valued him. However, his 12 years in the league taught him that nothing is guaranteed, and opportunities come from proving oneself.
His 2023 season was cut short after eight games due to an Achilles tendon injury, which contributed to Minnesota’s decision not to re-sign him. The Vikings instead signed former third overall pick Sam Darnold to a one-year deal and traded up to pick Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy 10th overall in the draft. Cousins shared that Minnesota was only interested in a year-to-year commitment, but the Falcons offered him a long-term contract.
Darnold had an impressive season with the Vikings, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl spot while leading the team to 14 wins. However, Minnesota lost in the NFC wildcard round, after which Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks, paving the way for McCarthy to start in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Falcons started strong at 6-3 but then lost four straight games, including a season sweep by NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During this rough stretch, Cousins was benched in favor of Penix after struggling, posting just one touchdown compared to nine interceptions over five games. Cousins also played through a right shoulder and elbow injury sustained in a Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
At nearly 37 years old when the next season begins, Cousins acknowledges that his starting job may not be guaranteed once he returns from injury. Overall, he completed 66.9% of his passes last season for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns but also threw an NFL-high 16 interceptions. The Falcons missed the playoffs.
Cousins expressed the maturity needed to handle being benched, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and resilience. Despite recent challenges, the four-time Pro Bowler remains on the Falcons’ roster, currently serving as the backup quarterback behind Penix.
Fan Take: This story highlights the unpredictable nature of NFL careers, even for established stars like Kirk Cousins. For fans, Cousins’ journey underscores the fierce competition and constant evolution teams face, making every offseason and draft pick crucial for shaping the future of the league.
