FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The return of quarterback Kirk Cousins to Minnesota is not unfolding as he had hoped. Cousins, who played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, is now facing intense scrutiny regarding his position with the Atlanta Falcons, especially given his recent performance. During a three-game skid for the Falcons, Cousins has thrown six interceptions without throwing a single touchdown, including a disappointing four interceptions in last week’s 17-13 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers, marking his worst outing in a decade.
“Overcoming adversity is part of the challenge in professional football,” Cousins remarked after practice on Wednesday. Despite coach Raheem Morris expressing confidence in Cousins, there are murmurs about whether rookie first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. should receive an opportunity to ignite the struggling Atlanta offense. Morris reiterated his support on Wednesday, asserting that he never considered benching Cousins during the recent game.
“We need to go to Minnesota and secure a significant win, and Kirk is prepared for this challenge,” stated Morris, while acknowledging the quarterback’s need to recover from what he described as a “tough game.” “He’s built for situations like this, and he’s ready to tackle it,” he added.
The Falcons, struggling with a 6-6 record, need Cousins to rectify his turnover issues as they fight to maintain their lead in the underperforming NFC South division. Holding the tiebreaker over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who also stand at 6-6, Atlanta’s hopes hinge on Cousins reversing his current trend.
Cousins, at 36 years old, was initially brought in to be a dependable leader after signing a substantial four-year, $180 million contract. Now, he finds himself under the spotlight for less than commendable reasons and anticipates a raucous welcome from Vikings fans on Sunday. “They are passionate and dedicated football fans, so I expect them to create a tough environment for us,” said Cousins.
Currently, Cousins ranks fifth in the NFL for passing yards with a total of 3,052. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes, while his interception count stands at 13, just one away from his career-high. Despite returning from a torn Achilles tendon suffered last season, Cousins has recognized the mental errors that impacted his gameplay against the Chargers, noting that he rushed some throws, contributing to his turnovers.
Falcons’ offensive coordinator Zac Robinson highlighted how the quarterback’s throwing velocity has been affected by a lack of decisiveness. “These lapses happen to quarterbacks, and sometimes uncertainty in a throw is reflected in how the ball comes out,” Robinson commented.
Morris believes in Cousins’ capabilities both physically and mentally. “He’s been exceptional for us, and I have full faith in his ability to bounce back and perform as needed,” Morris said, emphasizing that Cousins remains an elite thinker on the field with the talent to execute crucial throws.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores also expresses faith in Cousins, stating he believes Cousins will navigate out of his recent slump. “While the criticism has intensified following his last game, he has demonstrated skillful play in the past,” Flores mentioned. “Those within our organization are well aware of Kirk’s capabilities. He’s a resilient quarterback.” He also anticipates a strong comeback from Cousins and expects the Falcons’ offense to perform at a high level, presenting a significant challenge going forward.
Unfortunately for Atlanta, the offensive output has diminished alongside the rising number of turnovers by the veteran quarterback, with the Falcons failing to score at least 20 points during their recent losing streak.
“We must hold onto the belief that tough situations are temporary, but tough individuals persevere,” Cousins urged. “It’s imperative to keep pushing forward.”
