Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, now with the Atlanta Falcons, remains a significant figure despite a tumultuous 2024 season. After signing a massive four-year, $180 million deal in March 2024, Cousins found himself benched following a 7-7 start, with the Falcons opting to give rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. the reins for the final three games. While Atlanta has hinted at keeping Cousins as a backup, ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggests the team may ultimately release him, as trading him would require his cooperation—something that seems unlikely.
Schefter drew parallels to Russell Wilson’s situation with the Denver Broncos last offseason, where Wilson was eventually released and signed a low-cost deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A similar outcome is anticipated for Cousins, who would then have the freedom to choose his next team as a free agent.
In his first season away from the Vikings, Cousins posted mixed results, completing 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, while also leading the league with 13 fumbles. His health became a recurring topic, particularly after returning from a torn Achilles that ended his 2023 season prematurely. Questions arose about whether he came back too soon, especially after he revealed on *Good Morning Football* that he suffered a shoulder and elbow injury in Week 10 against the Saints, which coincided with Atlanta’s four-game losing streak.
Cousins downplayed the severity of his injuries, emphasizing that his Achilles had healed well and attributing some struggles to lingering issues with his right ankle. He also noted that the shoulder and elbow injuries impacted his performance late in the season. From Weeks 1 through 9, Cousins completed 69.1% of his passes for 2,328 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, but his numbers dipped significantly over his final five starts, with a 62.7% completion rate and a 1,180/1/9 stat line.
Speculation swirled about whether Cousins hid his injuries to avoid losing his job to Penix, especially after he was listed on the Week 11 injury report with shoulder and elbow issues but was removed by Week 13. Cousins dismissed the injury designation as a “clerical error” and declined to elaborate further when pressed by reporters, stating he wasn’t doing “any media” and asking for privacy.
As the offseason begins, Cousins is focused on recovering fully and preparing for the next chapter of his career, wherever that may be. His ability to bounce back from injuries and regain his form will be critical as he looks to prove he still has plenty to offer in the NFL.
Leave a Reply