The Atlanta Falcons turned heads by signing Kirk Cousins to a $180 million deal last year. They didn’t stop there and shocked the world by picking another QB in the 2024 NFL Draft, Michael Penix Jr.
However, now their plans seem to make sense. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot blindsided the entire world once again by naming Cousins as the backup QB next season.
Kirk Cousins Will Be the Falcons’ Backup
Cousins recorded 3,508 yards and 16 touchdowns this season in 14 games. However, he also registered his career’s dubious highs in interceptions (16) and fumbles (7). With a record of 7-7, Cousins was benched in the final three games of the season.
Penix did not fare much better, going 1-2 and missing out on the playoffs. However, GM Fontenot did not mince his words regarding the future of the franchise during his end-of-season press conference.
“We gave Kirk Cousins two years guaranteed,” said Fontenot. “When you do that, you expect to get high-level quarterback play for two seasons. We understand that that didn’t happen. We’re more than comfortable moving ahead with him as the backup. He’s handled himself extremely well through the entire process.”
As the GM highlighted, Cousins’ four-year, $180 million deal has $100 million guaranteed money, and the front office is going to make the most of his experience and leverage it for Penix.
A Full Circle for Cousins
After the Falcons drafted Penix in the first round, Cousins was asked by the media whether he would’ve joined the Falcons if he knew about their plans of drafting a young QB. “I don’t really deal in hypotheticals,” replied Cousins.
In July, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported that the main reason Cousins chose to leave the Minnesota Vikings was that they planned to draft a young QB.
The 36-year-old left Minnesota, and he finds himself in the same situation, albeit now his backup status is confirmed. Cousins’ 24th-ranked grade in QB+, PFN’s QB metric, has him slotted between Joe Flacco and Mac Jones. From PFN Analyst Ben Rolfe: “Cousins struggled when operating under pressure and in clutch spots all season, with a -0.44 EPA/DB when pressured (26th). His nYPA of 7.3 ranked ninth, but he was also 11th in YAC/Cp at 5.6.
“Cousins’ clean-pocket numbers are solid (0.28 EPA/DB; 14th), but he converted just 34.1% of his third-down opportunities this season (ranked 28th).”