Kirk Cousins' tenure with the Atlanta Falcons has been marked by a series of setbacks, both on the field and in terms of his health. The veteran quarterback faced significant challenges after suffering a right shoulder and elbow injury during the team's Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints. This injury was compounded by an earlier Achilles tear in Week 8 of the 2023 season. As a result of these physical setbacks, Cousins' performance declined, leading to a series of strategic decisions by the Falcons that have put his future with the team in question.
Cousins was listed as limited on the injury report for just one day in Week 11, indicating that his shoulder and elbow issues persisted. Despite his claims of being "100% healthy" after the Broncos game, the impact of these injuries was evident in his performance. In Week 16, the Falcons benched Cousins in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., following a stretch where Cousins threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass over five games. This decision marked a turning point in a season that began with promise but soon spiraled into a four-game losing streak after Cousins' initial injury.
"Even if the right ankle wasn't perfect, nobody's perfect in this league," – Kirk Cousins
Cousins expressed his frustration with his physical condition affecting his gameplay, stating he was unable to perform at his desired level after the injury against the Saints.
"I, against the Saints, got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow and from there kind of dealing with that was something I was working through and just never really could get it to where I wanted it," – Kirk Cousins
As the Falcons face decisions about their roster moving forward, Cousins' future remains uncertain. His contract, a four-year agreement worth $180 million with $90 million guaranteed, includes financial implications that complicate potential moves. If the Falcons cut Cousins before the start of the 2025 league year, they would incur a $65 million dead money charge. Alternatively, cutting him with a post-June 1 designation would spread the financial hit with $40 million in dead money in 2025 and an additional $25 million in 2026.
Despite these challenges, Cousins maintains confidence in his abilities and expresses a desire to continue playing at a high level.
"I definitely still feel like I have a lot of good football left in me," – Kirk Cousins
Atlanta's general manager Terry Fontenot acknowledged these complexities but indicated the team is "very comfortable" with Cousins potentially serving as Penix's backup in 2025. The looming $10 million roster bonus for 2026, which becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2025 league year, adds another layer to the situation. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in December that the Falcons are likely to cut Cousins before this bonus kicks in, further fueling speculation about his future with the team.
The Falcons' season took a downward turn after losing momentum post-injury, ultimately finishing with only two additional wins and missing out on the playoffs. Cousins' performance, coupled with his physical challenges, has prompted discussions about potential changes and strategies as Atlanta looks to rebuild and strengthen its roster.
"I'm no good to the Falcons, I'm no good to a team if I'm not feeling really good," – Kirk Cousins
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