Kirk Cousins’ career has undergone a dramatic shift over the last two years. After becoming the poster boy for the Minnesota Vikings as the quarterback of their team, a torn Achilles tendon paved the way for the veteran to hit free agency. Signed to a monstrous four-year deal worth $180 million, he was stunned by the Atlanta Falcons’ almost immediate drafting of Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, the Falcons chose to move forward with Cousins as their starter for the season. Unfortunately, his play wasn’t up to the mark, prompting the team to switch to Penix near the end of the season. This year, the youngster has fully taken over the starting role, and according to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he has a grade of C through four games, while the veteran is on the bench. Four weeks into the season, Cousins finally spoke about what could be the next steps in his career.
What’s Next for Kirk Cousins?
Throughout his career, Cousins has been a good to great quarterback, with some truly high highs that have earned him four Pro Bowl nods. Whether it was with the Washington Redskins or the Vikings, he became a true fan favorite at every location.
However, his time as the Falcons’ starter was marred by inconsistency, with a four-week stretch where he did not record a single touchdown while throwing an absurd eight interceptions, becoming the straw that broke the camel’s back.
But his reputation remains intact. As a result, a trade could always be on the horizon with teams looking for stability at the most important position in the sport. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals could be on the lookout for a way to add him to the roster, especially with Joe Burrow’s injury in Cincy’s case.
However, as the trade deadline approaches, there hasn’t been a tangible move in that direction. For Cousins, though, that isn’t a thing that he’s particularly focused on. Speaking to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, he made his focus crystal clear.
“Right now, it’s just about the role I’m in, and focused in on helping us win football games and being ready for the next challenges we face. I’ll stay sharp, and you never know what the league will bring.”
Going a step further, he added, “For right now, I think you focus on the task at hand, being one play away and being ready, also being a great support to the guys that are starting.” The ultimate teammate, there is a reason why Cousins remains a popular figure in locker rooms.
It’s unclear which team will take the plunge on a former league leader in completion percentage, but the talent level with Cousins has never been in question. In the right system, he could still be a productive starting quarterback in the NFL.
