Man, what a rollercoaster of a season for the Atlanta Falcons. When we signed Kirk Cousins to that massive contract, the hope was that he would finally be the guy to lead this team to greatness. Instead, we got a season full of struggles, head scratching moments, and, quite honestly some of the worst quarterback play we’ve seen in a while.
Let’s be real….Kirk Cousins did not live up to expectations or the money spent. He was supposed to be the franchise quarterback, the leader, the guy to take us deep into the playoffs. Instead, he looked uncomfortable in the pocket, made costly mistakes and never quite got the offense going. Was it rust? Was it lingering effects from his Achilles injury? Was it just a bad fit for the system? Whatever the reason things just didn’t click.
Now, after all that the Falcons have made a surprising decision…. keeping Kirk Cousins. And here’s the kicker….he’s now a backup, but with a starter level paycheck. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you look at the numbers. But you know what? I actually think this is the right move.
Paying Kirk Either Way
Look, the Falcons were going to pay Cousins no matter what. That contract was locked in. Cutting him would have created more problems than solutions, and trading him? Well, that wasn’t much of an option either, given his value right now. So, instead of completely throwing money down the drain keeping him around makes sense.
A Mentor for Penix
The Falcons future is now in the hands of Michael Penix Jr., and I think that’s exciting. This guy has the potential to be something special, but every young quarterback needs a solid mentor. Say what you want about Kirk Cousins, but the guy is a true professional. He’s been in this league a long time, he knows how to prepare and he can help Penix adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
If Penix is smart, he’ll soak up everything he can from Cousins. From film study to pre,snap reads to handling the pressure of being an NFL starter, Kirk has been there and done that. Having him in Penix’s ear could be a game,changer for his development.
What Really Happened With Kirk?
I don’t believe Cousins just suddenly forgot how to play football. There’s something we’re not seeing. Maybe he was dealing with a lingering injury. Maybe it was just the adjustment to a new team, a new system, and new expectations. Or maybe he just never got fully comfortable after returning….
Whatever the case, keeping him around gives the Falcons some security. If Penix struggles or gets hurt, Cousins can step in. He may not have been the guy we hoped for, but he’s still a capable quarterback with plenty of experience.
Playing It Safe
At the end of the day, this is a safe move. It may not be exciting, and it may not be what fans were hoping for but it makes sense. The Falcons have invested in their future with Penix, but they’re also keeping a veteran presence in the building.
Now, I’m curious…..what do you think? Was keeping Cousins the right call, or should the Falcons have moved on completely? Let me know your thoughts!
