Kirk Cousins had another disappointing performance in Week 13 as the Atlanta Falcons lost 17-13 to the Los Angeles Chargers. Atlanta is currently on a three-game losing streak, and the veteran quarterback has thrown six interceptions during this span without a single passing touchdown.
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons this past offseason, has held the team back. Mina Kimes thinks that the team should look to give Michael Penix Jr. extra opportunities if their current starting quarterback continues to struggle.
Mina Kimes Delivers Verdict on Kirk Cousins
While talking about Cousins on ESPN’s “NFL Live,” Kimes mentioned that the 36-year-old quarterback doesn’t look the same due to the Achilles injury he suffered last year.
“Watching him, I felt like his physical limitations are holding this offense back,” Kimes said. “… He’s just not right; there’s something off with his footwork. When he’s under center, and he has to turn around, and he’s aiming, and it just doesn’t look right, frankly. It doesn’t look like Kirk Cousins.”
"You're throwing away a season where not only you have a chance to win the division, but you could potentially go farther if you see something with the young quarterback."@minakimes thinks the Falcons should play Michael Penix Jr. this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/vcI5jmheVS
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 2, 2024
The Falcons’ decision to draft Penix with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft surprised many. However, with how Cousins has played this year, it looks like the franchise hit the jackpot.
Kimes added, “It makes me wonder, you drafted Michael Penix eighth overall; I criticized the decision. … I will criticize that decision infinitely more if they don’t give Penix a shot this season if this continues because you’re throwing away a season where not only [do] you have a chance to win the division, but you could potentially go farther if you see something with the young quarterback.”
In 12 games this year, Cousins has thrown for 3,052 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He has completed 67.4% of his throws with a passer rating of 90.8, which is his worst since the 2014 NFL season. Moreover, the Falcons star is on track to throw the most interceptions of his career in a single season (14, which came in the 2022 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings).
Cousins threw three interceptions in the loss to the Chargers, and Falcons fans on social media urged the team to bench him. However, head coach Raheem Morris has confirmed that the veteran will continue to start as the team is backing him to turn the situation around.
Cousins Has a Chance To Redeem Himself Against His Former Team
The Falcons will travel to Minnesota in Week 14 to face Cousins’ former team. It is a great opportunity for the four-time Pro Bowler to restore the fans’ faith. The Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFC, and getting a win against them will be a remarkable achievement for Atlanta.
Cousins played six seasons with the Vikings and had immense success with Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings haven’t missed a beat after losing their former quarterback in free agency, and their head coach has brought the best out of Sam Darnold this year.
Despite having playmakers like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts, the Falcons have the league’s 19th-best scoring offense. Cousins has had a disappointing season, but a win against the Vikings can be a turning point for him.
The Falcons are 6-6 on the season but are still at the top of their division. The upcoming game against Minnesota is the toughest one left on their schedule, which is why it’s quite important for Cousins to perform against his former team and shut his critics down.