The Atlanta Falcons’ acquisition of Kirk Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings on a substantial four-year, $180 million contract has been a topic of considerable discussion this offseason.
While Cousins has proven himself as a top-tier quarterback in recent years, the deal does carry certain risks.
At 36 years old and recovering from a torn Achilles suffered last October, Cousins’ ability to perform at his peak is under scrutiny.
His debut performance for the Falcons against the Pittsburgh Steelers raised some concerns, as he displayed noticeable stiffness on the field.
ESPN’s Troy Aikman recently provided an insightful update for Falcons supporters.
Prior to Atlanta’s Week 2 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, Aikman reported that Cousins admitted, “he’s not 100%, but yet he feels that he’s 100% in the pocket.”
“I know in talking with Kirk (Cousins), he says that he’s not 100%, but yet he feels that he’s 100% in the pocket.” – Troy Aikman 🏈🎙️ #MNF #NFL
(h/t: @projectjax) pic.twitter.com/1yDQsvnmS9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 17, 2024
This suggests that while Cousins may not be at full physical capacity, he maintains confidence in his ability to execute from the pocket.
Moreover, in the 18-10 loss, Cousins completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions, while also being sacked twice.
Despite these challenges, Cousins remained positive and assured the reporters that his Achilles felt “good” and that it wasn’t a factor in the season-opening defeat.
It’s understandable that the Falcons didn’t sign Cousins expecting him to be a mobile quarterback.
However, they do need improved mobility, particularly for play-action and rolling out of the pocket.
The timeline for Cousins to feel fully comfortable outside the pocket remains uncertain, potentially reigniting discussions about Atlanta’s decision to draft Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, shortly after their significant investment in Cousins.
