After being linked to several different quarterbacks, the Atlanta Falcons ended the speculation on Monday by agreeing to terms with former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cousins is set to sign a four-year deal worth $180 million.
Atlanta was mentioned as a landing spot for a handful of quarterbacks this offseason, including Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson. Falcons fans are torn on the signing, mainly due to Cousins’ age and recent Achilles injury, but they know as well as anyone that it’s tough to win without a quarterback.
Even at 35, Cousins can provide the kind of consistency that Atlanta has missed since Matt Ryan’s departure. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr and Tyler Sullivan gave the Falcons an “A” for their reported deal with Cousins:
As suggested above, signing Cousins easily makes Atlanta the clear-cut favorite to win the NFC South in 2024. Head coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons would go after a quarterback and he the top signal-caller on the market.
Another benefit to this deal is it allows the team to do pretty much anything in the draft now that the front office isn’t locked into finding a quarterback. Had the Falcons acquired Justin Fields, it would taken away some of that draft capital.
There’s no doubt the money will take away some of the team’s cap flexibility, however, there are still ways for Atlanta to create more cap space.
