Several teams around the NFL are going to be taking a ride on the quarterback carousel this offseason, including the Atlanta Falcons. After opting to stick with Desmond Ridder as their starter in 2023, with Taylor Heinicke as his backup, Atlanta needs to make a change this offseason.
Had the Falcons received more consistent quarterback production last season, they very well could have been the NFC South champions. Inconsistent play under center doomed the team, which showed promise and improvement elsewhere on the roster.
Heading into the offseason, finding an upgrade at quarterback should be the No. 1 task on their to-do list. Luckily for the Falcons, several options could be available for them to acquire.
NFL News & Rumors: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Atlanta Falcons Updates
If they go the free agency route, veteran Kirk Cousins is someone they should strongly consider signing. In the opinion of Matt Bowen of ESPN, the best team fit for Cousins this offseason is Atlanta.
“The Vikings should be in the mix to re-sign Cousins, but I think he fits really well with Atlanta under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (who worked under Sean McVay in Los Angeles). It works well for Cousins in both the play-action and dropback passing game. Before tearing his right Achilles in Week 8, Cousins was completing 69.5% of his throws and had 18 touchdown passes to five interceptions. He would be an upgrade under center for an Atlanta offense that has plenty of young offensive skill talent in Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson,” wrote Bowen.
Changing teams is never easy, but the Falcons are going to run some similar things to the Minnesota Vikings. Their head coach, Kevin O’Connell, is from the Los Angeles Rams coaching tree under Sean McVay, as new Atlanta offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
There is certainly a lot to like about Cousins landing with the Falcons. Had he been their quarterback in 2023, it would not be a stretch to say they would have won the NFC South, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came away victorious in large part because they received the most consistent quarterback play from Baker Mayfield.
NFL News & Rumors: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Atlanta Falcons Updates
Adding a player of Cousins’ caliber would help get the most out of the Falcons’ intriguing young core of offensive playmakers. They used top-10 picks in three straight years on tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson. Cousins would help bring that unit together and elevate their performance.
There are some risks in adding Cousins, who did tear his Achilles in Week 8 and is in the middle of rehabbing. But, the production speaks for itself. He was prolific before the injury and as a pocket passer who didn’t rely on athleticism to get the job done, he should be able to return to form.
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