FLOWERY BRANCH — What happened to Kirk Cousins?
That’s one of the great mysteries of the 2024 NFL season.
The league has never seen — in recent history — a player go from passing for a franchise-record 509 yards and throwing four touchdown passes in two games to losing his job, in a matter of weeks.
Cousins, who signed a four-year contract that could have been worth up to $180 million, had the Falcons rolling. They were one of the hotter teams in the league as they raced to a 6-3 mark. The Falcons beat the Eagles on the road, and if a pass interference had been called, they likely would have upset the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.
But something went wrong in the 20-17 loss to the Saints in New Orleans on Nov. 10. Kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt wide left, had a 35-yard field-goal attempt blocked and his 46-yard attempt that would have tied the score in the fourth quarter hit the right upright.
Cousins had the ball four times in the fourth quarter, and all the Falcons could muster was a punt, missed field goal, interception and turnover downs.
They weren’t the same after the game in New Orleans and would lose their next three games to fall to 6-7 and out of first place.
Cousins, who was sacked three times and hit nine times in loss to the Saints, was listed on the team’s lengthy injury report the following Wednesday with a right elbow and shoulder injury. He later said that was a clerical error.
The Falcons went through two walk-through sessions and didn’t practice that Wednesday. Pursuant to league rules they still had to submit an estimated injury report.
Cousins tossed eight interceptions over the next four games and was benched. He had four interceptions — including a red-zone floater — in the 17-13 loss to the Chargers on Dec. 1.
The Falcons didn’t want to bench Cousins. The plan was to have rookie Michael Penix Jr. learn from the veteran for the entire season.
“That plan went out the window,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said.
With three games to play, the Falcons handed the ball over to Penix, who had not practiced with the first-team offense.
So, what happened to Cousins?
“He just didn’t play well,” Morris said. “We had this stretch where he didn’t play well. Obviously, we tried to breathe confidence into that situation.”
The Falcons were hoping he could rekindle the magic he had earlier in the season.
“Obviously tried to ... get it back, and then you couldn’t get it back and you’ve got to make the switch,” Morris said. “But what’s happening to Kirk Cousins today is he’s being the best backup quarterback that he could potentially be. He’s able to go out there and really be helpful for us, helpful in all moments.”
The Falcons still believe Penix can learn from Cousins.
“There’s no better time to be around a guy like Kirk Cousins that’s had so many experiences in the league, whether it’s big losses, big wins,” Morris said. “Whatever the case may be for Michael, than right now.”
Penix helped guide the Falcons to a 34-7 win over the Giants. He was solid in the 30-24 overtime loss to the Commanders, which included a late-game 13-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts on fourth down.
“I mean, from my perspective, he’s been great and been nothing but supportive,” Penix said. “He always walks in here with a smile on his face into the building and he cheers up the team. We were just all out there with the younger guys, some of the practice squad guys and just going through plays with them. So, he’s heavily involved and he wants to do whatever he can to help this team be better.”
Cousins, who’s coming back from Achilles surgery, would not use the injury excuse.
“No,” Cousins said when asked about his health on Dec. 18. “Going back to the turnovers, I think that’s more probably decision-making than anything. That wouldn’t have anything to do with any physical limitations, so I wouldn’t say so.”
What about the Achilles?
“No, I think when you look at it, there was a lot of production,” Cousins said. “We were 6-3, nine games in, and had done a lot of good things. So, I don’t think there are any real limitations from that standpoint.”
The Falcons must determine if they’ve seen enough from Penix to make him the quarterback long-term or perhaps go back to a healthier Cousins next season. Medical research indicates that it takes a full year and up to 18 months for full recovery from Achilles surgery.
“Several studies of NBA and NFL players compared statistics before and after Achilles repair,” Dr. Sam Labib, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, said generally about athletes. “Those who regain their level of athleticism were 65-70% of all comers and it took them, on average, 12 to 18 months to do so.”
Cousins underwent surgery Oct. 30, 2023. If he is among the professional athletes who manage to regain their previous form, it could happen sometime this season or it may not happen until next season.
Cousins threw for 509 yards Oct. 3, 2024. He also had four passes intercepted against the Chargers a little over a month later.
If there is a parting of ways, there is the matter of Cousins’ contract, which some seem hard to trade, much like Russell Wilson’s situation last season with the Broncos.
Cousins’ deal had $100 million in guarantees, with $90 million fully guaranteed at the March signing.
“Conventional wisdom suggests that the Falcons are going to release Cousins with a post-June 1 designation before his injury-guaranteed, $10 million, fifth day of the 2026 league year roster bonus becomes fully guaranteed this upcoming March 16 on the fifth day of the 2025 league year,” Joel Corry, a former agent, wrote in his recent sports business column for CBS Sports. “Cousins’ contract contains a no-trade clause that he may not be willing to waive because the Falcons (allegedly) weren’t forthcoming about potentially selecting a quarterback in the first round. His recent play has likely diminished his trade value anyway.”
If Cousins is released, there will be $65 million in dead money, which would likely be taken over two years with the use of a post-June 1 designation. Corry notes that the Falcons will have paid Cousins $90 million for only one season if he’s released in March.
Cousins, who was not in the locker room during the open media session on Thursday and Friday, wasn’t ready to address his future with the Falcons after the move to Penix was made.
“Again, you’re kind of one day at a time right now, and you kind of always are in this league,” Cousins said. “Then in the offseason, that’s when conversations happen, but we’re not there yet.”
Cousins was asked if he still hopes to be a starter in the future.
“I didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” Cousins said. “You know, certainly turnovers were not what you want, but I didn’t forget how to play.”
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