Tag: Kirk Cousins

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins attends Falcons’ voluntary workouts amid uncertain future

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With his future in flux, Kirk Cousins attended the first day of the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason workouts, multiple reports said Tuesday.

The decision came as a surprise, as the Falcons and head coach Raheem Morris expected him to skip out on the voluntary program.

“I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work,” Morris said at the league meeting. “… I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be foolish enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

The veteran quarterback wants to be released to seek a starting job in 2025, but the Falcons may hold onto Cousins as a backup to Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta is also open to listening to offers for Cousins, but reports indicate the team would want any trade partner to take on some of his guaranteed money.

The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed before the 2024 season, then drafted Penix with the eighth overall pick in the draft. They benched Cousins for Penix midway through the 2024 season.

Penix is the team’s No. 1 quarterback entering the new season. The Falcons signed free agent Easton Stick on Monday, and 2024 undrafted free agent Emory Jones is also on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Reports: Falcons to keep QB Kirk Cousins past deadline

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlanta Falcons plan to keep Kirk Cousins on their roster past the 4 p.m. ET deadline Saturday, multiple outlets reported. As a result, the quarterback’s $10 million roster bonus that is due in 2026 will be fully guaranteed.

That decision grants the Falcons additional time as they weigh the 36-year-old Cousins’ future with the team.

Atlanta is all in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the face of the franchise.

In his return from a torn Achilles and debut season with the Falcons, Cousins said arm injuries were a detriment and led to him being benched in favor of Penix in December. Cousins went to the bench after tossing one touchdown and nine interceptions in a five-game stretch that knocked the Falcons out of playoff position.

Atlanta selected Penix eighth overall in last April’s draft shortly after Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) run on the field before a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons position on QB Kirk Cousins ‘hasn’t changed’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Atlanta is all in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the face of the franchise, but the Falcons insist they don’t have to part with high-priced No. 2 Kirk Cousins.

“I’m excited, I know our team is excited, our owner is excited for the future with Michael Penix,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Morris said he was “disappointed” with the way things ended for Cousins and Atlanta. General manager Terry Fontenot, who also met with media at the combine, said the move to Penix was entirely a “football decision” despite recent comments from Cousins that he injured his shoulder in Week 10 against the Saints.

Cousins, 36, enters the second year of a four-year, $180 million contract with a $27.5 million base salary and a $10 million roster bonus that hits on the fifth day of the league year. Teams are not expected to offer a draft pick for Cousins because of his onerous salary.

“Michael Penix is our quarterback. We stood here last year and talked about looking for that guy,” Morris said of whether Cousins was still competing to start. “We think we found him.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) gets sacked by C.J. Brewer (95)in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins claims ankle, arm injuries impacted 2024

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Before his 37th birthday in August, Kirk Cousins said his greatest wish is full health.

“I’m no good to the Falcons, I’m no good to a team if I’m not feeling really good,” Cousins told NFL Network on Tuesday. “That’s really where my focus has been through January and February now that the season has wound down, really taking all the time I can to get my body feeling really good.”

In his return from a torn Achilles and debut season with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins said arm injuries were a detriment and led to him being benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. in December.

What’s next for Cousins is unclear, even after Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said the team was comfortable absorbing his $40 million cap number in 2025.

Three years remain on the four-year, $180 million deal Cousins signed with Atlanta in March 2024. After he tossed one touchdown and nine interceptions in a five-game spiral that knocked Atlanta out of playoff position, Cousins went to the bench. He said Tuesday recovery from the Achilles went well.

“I think the Achilles healed well. I think there was a little bit of just trying to get my right ankle back around the Achilles, but the Achilles itself healed really well,” Cousins said on “Good Morning Football: Overtime.”

“Even then, we were 6-3, was playing well, doing a lot of good things, even if the right ankle wasn’t perfect. Nobody’s perfect in this league. We’re never feeling 100 percent. So it didn’t really affect me too much, but then against the Saints (in Week 10), I got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow. From there, kind of dealing with that, it was something I was working through. Just never could get it really to where I wanted it. Now that the season’s over, you have the time and the energy to say, OK, let’s get the right ankle back, let’s get the shoulder back, let’s get the elbow back.

“And if we can do that, feel like I got a new life ahead of me in pro football.”

A move with a post-June 1 designation, or a trade before training camp, would make a reset more feasible for both sides. The Falcons would save $12.5 million, but given his age and rapid regression, his trade market is expected to be cool to frigid.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Falcons prepare Michael Penix Jr., praise ‘pro’ Kirk Cousins for accepting QB2 role

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Falcons head coach Raheem Morris came to the conclusion rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. gives Atlanta the best chance to beat the New York Giants on Sunday, a victory likely required to remain in the NFC playoff picture.

“I don’t think anything is ever permanent in the National Football League, but right now Michael Penix is our quarterback,” Morris said Wednesday.

The first-year coach made the move to Penix, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, following an objective review of starter Kirk Cousins’ play over the past five weeks. Cousins, signed to a four-year, $140 million contract in March, had one touchdown pass Monday to snap a four-game losing streak at Las Vegas. He leads the NFL with 18 turnovers, 16 interceptions and the Falcons (7-7) did their best to look beyond financial considerations and past season performance in an effort to win the moment.

“I brought Kirk in here with belief we could win a championship with Kirk. For whatever reason, lately it hasn’t looked that way,” Morris said.

“We’ve got to play better at the position.”

Atlanta (7-7) trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South race. The Falcons play the Washington Commanders (9-5) on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17 and playoff position could be on the line if the Falcons beat the Giants and the NFC-East leading Eagles beat the Commanders this week.

While coaches claimed the offense will remain the same, the process of upramping Penix shifted into fast-forward at the Flowery Branch, Ga., facility this week. Morris admitted there’s limited chemistry between the rookie lefty and his top targets in the underachieving offense. One plus Morris called out was Penix bringing more athletic ability and mobility than Cousins.

Morris, who has repeated before and during the season he doesn’t need to be the “smartest person in the building,” said the QB decision was a collaboration that involved owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot. He said he’s not worried about Penix staring down the barrel with the playoffs still possible, crediting the 24-year-old with “maturity that goes beyond his years.”

He also credited Cousins for taking the demotion as a professional.

“Any time you take a step down, and demotion, whatever the case may be it’s not going to be met with great appreciation,” Morris said. “But Kirk was a professional. He’s a pro, he’s a man, he’s great human, great father, he’s a great football player. He’s done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He’s an absolute professional. I can’t say enough good things about who the man is. Obviously it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job.”

Morris said it’s too early to discuss what the depth chart reset means for Cousins’ future with the Falcons. His 2025 salary of $27.5 is fully guaranteed and Atlanta already paid Cousins a $50 million signing bonus and the majority of his $12.5 million base salary for 2024.

There’s some professional historical precedent to the situation playing out in Atlanta for Morris.

During his head coaching run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011, Morris turned to rookie first-round pick Josh Freeman midway through the 2009 season. Byron Leftwich began 2009 as the starter but was sidelined with an elbow injury.

Freeman won his first start with three TD passes, beating the Packers 38-28 to end an 11-game losing streak dating to 2008. The following season, in 2010, Freeman helped Morris flip the Bucs’ 3-13 record to 10-6.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons’ Morris does not commit to Kirk Cousins starting vs. Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After a trip to the Strip did not instill confidence in the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback play, Raheem Morris was not ready Tuesday to commit to a starter for next week.

Atlanta (7-7) beat the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday night despite a weak showing from Kirk Cousins. The veteran quarterback threw his first touchdown since Nov. 3 but was 11-for-17 for a season-low 112 yards, with one interception and three sacks.

In his previous four games, Cousins tossed eight picks without a touchdown over four straight losses. Monday’s win kept Atlanta’s playoff hopes alive, for now.

Morris was asked in a video conference with reporters whether Cousins would keep the starting job this week vs. the New York Giants.

“We just got back (to Georgia), man,” Morris said. “We’ve still got to go through all that process like we always do.

“There’s no secret. We didn’t play well at the quarterback position. We got to find ways to play better. So, you know, all those things we go over the course of the week. We got to do whatever’s best to win against the Giants.”

The other option, of course, is rookie Michael Penix Jr., who was selected eighth overall in April’s draft shortly after Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons. Penix has taken 20 snaps this season over two games.

Morris went as far as to say Tuesday that there would not be a downside to playing Penix, even amid a playoff chase.

“You could never say there’s a (downside) to turn it over to somebody that you put a lot of investment into, somebody that you brought in here, somebody you’ve done some things with, somebody that (has) said nothing but the right things since they’ve been here,” Morris said of Penix.

After the Falcons’ narrow win over Las Vegas, Cousins said it was no mystery that he needed to play better.

“I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better,” Cousins said late Monday night. “Raheem says it, but it’s stating the obvious, and every week you kind of go through your process and you plan to go out there and play the very best you can. And so, this week will be no different.”

Both 2-12, the Raiders and Giants are tied for the worst record in the NFL, and the Falcons catch them on back-to-back weeks with time running out on the season. They trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by one game in the NFC South and the Washington Commanders by two games for the third and final wild-card spot in the conference.

On Monday, the NFL flexed the Falcons’ Dec. 29 visit to the Commanders into the Week 17 “Sunday Night Football” broadcast.

In injury news, Morris said kicker Younghoe Koo is dealing with an unspecified injury. Koo recently was listed on the injury report with a right hip ailment.

“We’ll kind of get a feel for what’s going on and everything that’s happening,” Morris said. “Get a better feel for him (Tuesday).”

Atlanta signed kicker Tanner Brown to the practice squad Sunday, the day before the Raiders game. Koo went 2-for-3 on field goals and made his only point-after try on Monday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Falcons sticking with QB Kirk Cousins as starter

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlanta Falcons are sticking with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback amid a three-game losing streak that has seen the 36-year-old toss six interceptions with no touchdowns.

Cousins tossed four INTs in Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, posting the fifth-worst passer rating in his 13-year career.

Still, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said the team will not be making a change to rookie Michael Penix Jr. when the Falcons travel to Minnesota this week.

“That guy has carried us this season,” Morris said. “He has done such a marvelous job that it’s hard to throw that guy under the bus after what he’s done for us. We will bounce back, we will bring him back and we’ll be ready to go.”

Morris added that Cousins has “got us to the point where we are 6-6, still in first place in the division, still got everything in front of us. It’s up to us to bounce back and win football games, and there is no better man than (No.) 18 to do that for us.”

Cousins, who signed a four-year deal worth up to $180 million with the Falcons in the offseason, has thrown for 3,052 yards and 17 touchdowns against 13 interceptions, a league high.

“There’s no entitlement in the NFL,” Cousins said. “If it ever was that, I wouldn’t want it. I need to play at a level that justifies being out there. That’s the way I’ll always view it. I’ve always felt like it should never be about anything except earning the right to be out there.”

Cousins makes his first return to Minnesota, where he starred for six seasons, earning three Pro Bowl nods and going 50-37-1 as the starter in a game with playoff implications for both sides.

When Cousins opted to take the Falcons’ offer in free agency, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold to replace him and drafted JJ McCarthy from Michigan with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Darnold guided Minnesota to a fifth consecutive win on Sunday, leading a late drive to beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-22.

“I have no doubt in my mind (Cousins) can bounce back, particularly against his former team,” Morris said.

–Field Level Media

Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Raheem Morris, Falcons bracing for ‘tell the truth moment’ ahead of Eagles clash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Raheem Morris’s debut as Atlanta’s head coach didn’t pan out as hoped on Sunday, with new-look Falcons falling 18-10 at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Twenty-four hours later, Morris was ready to move on to Week 2, with the schedule only getting tougher. Atlanta heads to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles next Monday before hosting the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 22.

“Last night didn’t go our way, but we were able to go in today and reevaluate our plans, talk about our stuff, what went well and what didn’t go well,” Morris said on Monday. “It’s a ‘tell the truth moment’ for our team and for ourselves, and now, it’s on to the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for just 155 yards and overrode his lone touchdown pass with two costly interceptions in Sunday’s loss.

Coming off a season cut short by a torn Achilles, Cousins, 36, made his debut for the team paying him $180 million over the next four years.

“(Kirk) probably had some rust from not playing for so long,” Morris said. “But we’ve got to play better at the position and play better around him. … The assessment of Kirk yesterday was easy. It wasn’t good enough. He threw two interceptions, and we’ve got to make better decisions in the passing game all around. It just wasn’t good enough and we’re going to be clear about that.”

Switching focus to the Falcons’ first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2020, Morris and company are dealt with the task of slowing a Philadelphia offense flooded with talent.

“That whole offense, looking at those guys, you’re talking about a bunch of superstars across the board,” Morris added. “A.J. Brown, Saquon (Barkley), the guy they just traded for, Jahan Dotson. They’ve got the biggest offensive line in the history of the game. Jalen Hurts was the runner up for MVP just two years ago. We’ve got to get in the lab, and that’s what today and tomorrow are about.”

In their 34-29 win over the Green Bay Packers last Friday in Brazil, the Eagles totaled 410 yards, including 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Barkley in his team debut. Atlanta was outgained 270-226 against Pittsburgh.

Monday marks the Falcons’ first game in Philadelphia since an 18-12 loss in the 2018 opener. Atlanta, which has lost four of its last five against the Eagles, has not won at Lincoln Financial Field since 2012.

–Jack Batten, Field Level Media