Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — One of the biggest dominos to fall in NFL free agency this offseason was Kirk Cousins. Cousins spent the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before agreeing to a massive deal with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. The 35-year-old quarterback landed a four-year, $180 million deal while coming off of a season-ending Achilles injury.

To further prove the team’s belief in Cousins, Desmond Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Ridder is a former third-round pick of the Falcons who started 13 games for the team in 2023, producing mediocre results. The fact that the team gave up on Ridder so quickly just shows the confidence in the veteran.

On one hand, the deal looks incredibly risky from the Falcons’ perspective. Giving a $50 million signing bonus to a QB well over 30 who is also coming off a serious injury? That sounds like a deal with the potential to have franchise-altering repercussions, in a bad way. Throw in the fact that the young Ridder is no longer on the roster, and there’s seemingly no backup plan in place.

On the other hand, Cousins was playing at an elite level until his injury. The QB had shown no signs of regression and was on his way to another Pro Bowl-caliber season. Cousins ended the 2023 season with 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games. The QB’s 69.5 completion percentage was the highest mark since his debut season in Minnesota. Cousins was also on pace to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark for the eighth time in his career.

In Minnesota, Cousins had a makeshift line for much of his tenure. The QB was routinely among one of the most sacked passers in the league. In Atlanta, however, Cousins will have one of the best lines in the league. Chris Lindstrom is a star at right guard, while Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary, Matthew Bergeron, and Drew Dalman make up the rest of an elite unit. The Falcons will be able to ensure Cousins stays upright, which will be crucial for the QB’s longevity.

One thing the Vikings did give Cousins was an elite group of pass catchers. In 2023, Cousins had arguably the best receiver in football and one of the best tight ends, in Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson, respectively. In Atlanta, the Falcons don’t have the elite star power, but they do have some of the most exciting, young pass-catchers in the game.

The Falcons currently roster young receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. Both were first-round picks who have all the talent in the world. The problem in Atlanta has been a lack of a quality passer who can get them the ball. The team added even more weapons by signing Darnell Mooney and trading for Rondale Moore this offseason. The group in Minnesota was more top-heavy, but Cousins’ group of pass catchers in Atlanta may be the deepest he’s ever had.

Finally, Cousins will now get to play in the NFC South. The NFC South hosted the worst team in the NFL in 2023 in the Carolina Panthers. The other teams in the division went a combined 25-26 in 2023. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely be seen as the favorites after making a playoff run, but the Falcons could easily run away with this division now that the QB situation is resolved.

Kirk Cousins, often blasted for his lack of success in big games, could turn a new leaf in his career. The QB has a chance to rewrite his story and show that he’s not done quite yet. Atlanta may just have been the best possible landing spot for it to happen.

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