The quarterback situation for the Atlanta Falcons is dubious at best. Even if they have Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder, neither player has truly demonstrated during their careers that they are capable of taking a team all the way to the postseason or beyond.
Having said that, the Falcons may think about signing Kirk Cousins in free agency in an effort to maximize the other players they already have.
Why Kirk Cousins Is a Perfect Fit for the Atlanta Falcons
Aaron Schatz of ESPN recently discussed why signing Cousins is the finest offseason move for the Falcons in an article about the one player that every NFL team should sign in free agency.
In comparison to Heinicke and Ridder, Cousins is a much superior option as he is an experienced veteran. The Vikings also desperately need a quarterback who can consistently produce at a high level, especially with the arsenal of weapons they already have on the field.
Schatz wrote the following regarding the Vikings’ possible signing of Cousins:
“The Falcons can’t go on with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke as their quarterbacks. They’re wasting a great group of skill players that includes WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts. So how about bringing in a veteran and pairing him with a young heir apparent from the middle rounds of the draft? Cousins had 63.2 QBR in half a season in 2023, his highest QBR since 2016. He had success playing for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, a former protégé of coach Sean McVay. Here he could play for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who was also a McVay protégé.”
As it turns out, though, the Falcons will not be getting Cousins for free. According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the 35-year-old signal-caller could earn as much as $51 million a season. Cousins is valued at $39.3 million on Spotrac, and it is anticipated that the quarterback will sign a three-year, $118 million contract.
Kirk Cousins’ Atlanta Falcons Rumors
In any case, there has previously been talk of an affiliation between the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins. There is a widespread perception in the media that Cousins is a better match for the team, even if other quarterbacks like Justin Fields have also been discussed as possible targets.
Even Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, who shared some similar views with Schatz, recently claimed that the Falcons are benefiting from Cousins.
“Number one, they have a pretty good roster already set. They have good weapons in Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeir, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. They have a good offensive line and you think about what he could do if they add Cousins. And some of the type of throws that he makes, really, really well right? He’s extremely accurate. He’s really good in play action,” Schultz explained.
It remains to be seen if the Falcons will make a move for Cousins, but considering the popularity of it, they might want to at least consider or explore it.
