'Very, Very Real!' Falcons Interested in Free Agent Quarterback Kirk Cousins, Will Vikings Sign?
The Atlanta Falcons are in desperate need of an upgrade under center, and they’ll go about finding one in any way possible. The Atlanta faithful remain hopeful a rookie quarterback falls to No. 8 or a trade-up is in the works, though the trade gaining the most hype is with the Chicago Bears.
If quarterback Justin Fields isn’t going to be the Falcons’ next quarterback, then Minnesota Vikings veteran Kirk Cousins might be the man for the job.
An Achilles tear in the middle of the season ended what could have been Cousins’ most effective year as a pro, and adds some risk to his already aging profile. However, his play from 2023 justifiably has teams intrigued.
Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
On “The Athletic Football Show,” Dianna Russini gave an update on Atlanta’s search as it puritans to Minnesota’s quarterback.
“Is this real? Is this a play? And I can tell you that the Atlanta Falcons’ interest in Kirk Cousins is very, very real,” Russini said.
Given the state of the NFC South and the talent already on the Falcons, there are several reasons why this isn’t particularly surprising. Atlanta almost certainly would have won the division with league-average quarterback play in 2023, and Cousins has long been operating at an above-average level. With a strong offensive line and three talented building blocks – receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts – it’s easy to see Cousins coming in and finding success from the jump.
Head coach Raheem Morris wasn’t necessarily hired to spearhead a rebuild, especially without the guarantee that a rookie quarterback is on the way. Cousins allows them to compete in the short term without too long of a commitment.
The money makes sense, as does a potential fit in offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s offense – at least, what we presume it will look like.
Even so, the Falcons and their fans are still playing a bit of a waiting game.
“None of this obviously can legally happen because it’s tampering," Russini said. “So the only thing that can technically happen right now is the agent can have conversations with the Vikings about what a deal could look like. And the Vikings are well aware what Kirk is looking for. And I think at this point right now, I’m not certain that they’re lined up.”
There may not be any update until the new league year begins on March 13, though the rumblings will continue until teams can officially make their moves.
He won’t immediately win over those looking for a rookie quarterback to rejuvenate the franchise or a dual-threat passer to create highlights. But in terms of winning games this year and next, Cousins likely presents the best path forward.
