The Atlanta Falcons have been going nowhere fast for the last several seasons. Ever since their last playoff appearance in the 2017 season, they haven’t finished with a winning record, and with a 4-6 record and a three-game losing streak right now, their chances of making the postseason this season are very bleak.
They do appear to have a few cornerstones upon which to build, including wide receiver Drake London and rookie running back Bijan Robinson. What they do not have is a quality quarterback. They have been relying on Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, and it’s clear that neither is a long-term solution as far as getting them back to a competitive level.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report feels the Falcons should try to sign veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.
“Atlanta’s quarterback situation is a mess, as neither Desmond Ridder nor Taylor Heinicke appear to be the organization’s long-term solution,” wrote Holder. “At 35 years old, Cousins won’t be that guy either, but he’d at least be an immediate upgrade over what they have, assuming he doesn’t take a dramatic turn for the worst post-Achilles injury.
NFL News & Rumors: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings Updates
“Signing Cousins would give the team a better shot at winning the Super Bowl next year and wouldn’t preclude the Falcons from drafting another quarterback to develop. They could have a great situation where the rookie doesn’t have to play until he’s ready while also having a veteran mentor who knows what it’s like to sit for a couple of years before taking over the reins.”
In eight games this year, Cousins completed 69.5 percent of his pass attempts and threw for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns. In Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, he completed 35 of 45 passes and finished with 387 passing yards and two touchdowns in an impressive 22-17 win over a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Of course, the very next week, Cousins tore his Achilles, prematurely ending his year. With the amount of wear and tear he has (he’s in his 12th pro season), whether he will be anywhere close to the same player when he returns is an open question.
If Atlanta were to successfully nab him, he’d clearly be a placeholder option. However, in the meantime, he could help London and Robinson develop while helping it compete for a return to the playoffs and putting butts in seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The questions would perhaps be how much money Cousins would command, how many years Atlanta would have to commit to him and whether the Vikings will try to keep him.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
