Kirk Cousins Would Sign with Coach Bill Belichick's Falcons? QB's Reveal as Rumors Grow

As buzz grows surrounding Bill Belichick and the Atlanta Falcons' vacant head coaching position, the possibility of impending free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins has emerged.

The Atlanta Falcons enter this offseason with a pair of clear needs - head coach and quarterback, perhaps the two most integral pieces to the puzzle.

But there's at least one piece beginning to emerge as a viable fit: the idea of hiring Bill Belichick as head coach and signing Kirk Cousins to play quarterback.

Belichick, who parted ways with the New England Patriots on Jan. 11 after 24 years, is poised to have his second interview with the Falcons this weekend, during which he'll meet CEO Rich McKay and general manager Terry Fontenot.

In his first interview, Belichick went one-on-one with Falcons owner Arthur Blank and evidently did well enough to warrant a deeper look from the rest of Atlanta's top decision makers.

The Falcons are the only team Belichick's met with, which is particularly eye-raising when considering the respect his six Super Bowls have garnered around the league - just ask Cousins.

"Great respect for him as a coach, like everyone else in pro football," Cousins said of Belichick, via CBS Sports. "If you go to that many Super Bowls, win that many Super Bowls, go to that many conference championship games, have the defensive production that he's had for years and years, it says it all."

Cousins' appreciation for Belichick is well-documented.

Prior to the two facing off Nov. 24, 2022, in a Thanksgiving battle, Cousins dubbed Belichick "the best ever," citing his lengthy track record.

In that game, Cousins went 30 of 37 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while guiding the Minnesota Vikings to a 33-26 home victory over New England.

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

Despite his surgical performance, Cousins still remembers the difficulties Belichick's defense provided.

"I noticed several times what he did coverage-wise was challenging, and it was different," Cousins said. "You always know when you play him, you're looking over your shoulder, wondering if what you're seeing is correct because you know he's usually going to break the mold and do something different.

"That's probably what's made him a great coach."

Respect between the two is mutual. Belichick called Cousins a "great quarterback" leading into the contest and was equally as complimentary afterwards.

"Cousins was tough," Belichick said. "He made a lot of good plays, throws, checks. He's a good player."

So, why's this relevant?

Cousins is a free agent. He'll have a chance to pick a new destination this spring, and the Falcons have no clear starting signal caller after Blank evaluated Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke's performance in 2023 as "deficient."

Of course, coaches often praise opposing players and vice versa - but Cousins went on record this week discussing the possibility he'd play under Belichick ... and with Atlanta being the favorites to land the 71-year-old coach, this is particularly noteworthy.

"I'm not going to turn down an opportunity to play with a future Hall of Fame coach, but we'll have to see where March leads," Cousins said.

It's far from an endorsement, but Cousins is evidently open to a partnership with Belichick.

Regardless, Cousins said winning is most important to him - he's made enough money to value team success and reaching the postseason over all else.

The Falcons boasted a top-10 defense for much of this past season before struggling late. Offensively, they boast three weapons drafted in the top-10 and return all five starters on the offensive line.

Atlanta, which finished 7-10, lost four games inside of the final minute and ultimately missed out on the NFC South title by two games.

Do the Falcons present a situation Cousins wants a part of? Perhaps - especially if Belichick's involved ... but will Atlanta even hire Belichick?

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Only time will tell.

"It's just a lot of unknowns right now," Cousins said.