Here’s Why QB Kirk Cousins Is Under Major Pressure With Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons already looked to have a promising team this past season. Although they finished with a 7-10 record, they enjoyed a solid season from second-year wide receiver Drake London, a strong one from third-season tight end Kyle Pitts and an outstanding showing from rookie running back Bijan Robinson.

The one thing they needed, at least on the offensive side of the football, was a high-level quarterback. This offseason, they appeared to obtain one in veteran Kirk Cousins, who was signed away from the Minnesota Vikings.

However, the Falcons then caused many to scratch their heads when they took University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in April’s draft.

Never mind the fact that Cousins will turn 36 years of age later this summer and is coming off a torn Achilles he suffered last season — many asked why Atlanta would draft Penix if it felt Cousins would be its man under center for at least the next year or two?

As a result, there is at least the appearance of an impending quarterback controversy. Thus, CBS Sports named Cousins one of the five QBs across the NFL under the most pressure as the 2024 season approaches.

“It’d be one thing if Atlanta simply paid Cousins top-10 quarterback money as its prized free agent, betting on the former Minnesota Vikings signal-caller’s return from a torn Achilles going on 36,” wrote Cody Benjamin. “The fact the Falcons turned around and also spent a top-10 draft pick on Cousins’ likely successor, Michael Penix Jr., cranks the heat up even more. Penix may be the future to Cousins’ present, but that still puts clear pressure on the present, where new coach Raheem Morris is surely expecting an immediate playoff push out of the NFC South. Will Cousins’ aw-shucks leadership finally translate to a big-game result?”

Kirk Cousins has yet to prove he can win big games consistently

Cousins has made the Pro Bowl four times in his 12 pro seasons, and he led the league in completion percentage during the 2015 campaign. But there is one knock against him: his lack of playoff success.

He has appeared in five postseason games, but he has won just one of them. In that one playoff win, he came up clutch in overtime by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph to allow the Vikings to defeat the New Orleans Saints.

The NFC has gotten stronger, and even if the Falcons win the NFC South, which is certainly possible, it is hard to imagine them winning a single playoff game afterward.

Penix led the NCAA in passing yards with 4,903 while throwing 36 touchdown passes last season. He led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where they got blown out by J.J. McCarthy, who was drafted by Minnesota at No. 10 overall, and the University of Michigan.

If Kirk Cousins struggles for an extended period of time this fall, look for some people to start to suggest that perhaps Morris should give Penix a chance under center.

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