Even though it’s not likely that Kirk Cousins is an Atlanta Falcon next season when week one rolls around, it would actually make a lot of sense for the Falcons to have Kirk Cousins as their backup quarterback next season, and earlier today The Morning Shift explained why.
“Here’s the thing, you’re gonna pay the money, he’s gonna want to play quarterback, he’s got a no trade clause, his family is moved into a house that they’ve re-done, they’re not leaving Atlanta, I just think it makes a ton of sense for him to be around.” Mike Johnson said.
Beau Morgan also made a good point when he pointed out the fact that if the Falcons decide to keep Kirk Cousins for next season his cap hit will be $40 million dollars, and if they cut Cousins after June 1st the dead cap hit will still be $40 million dollars, so that’s a wash, but if the Falcons decide to keep the veteran QB they obviously won’t have to pay another five to eight million dollars to bring in a different back up quarterback, and they will also have a pretty good back up quarterback if they keep Cousins.
In 2023 only nine starting quarterbacks played all 17 games, and even though the number jumped from nine to 14 this season there’s still a lot of value in having a reliable back up quarterback, and Mike who views Kirk as a “coach on the field” thinks Cousins has the brains, character, and skills to be a very good back up quarterback for the Falcons to not only play if needed, but also continue to help Michael Penix Jr. become the best franchise quarterback he can be as well.
The biggest question is obviously if whether or not Kirk Cousins is comfortable with being the Falcons backup quarterback next season, and with the likely answer being no that makes the conversation null and void, but if by chance Cousins is willing to be the Falcons’ veteran backup QB for a season it would make a lot of sense for the Falcons to keep him.