Kirk Cousins May Lose His Starting Job in Atlanta This Week

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Dec 18, 2024

Have you ever made a purchase you instantly regretted? Well, you’re in good company with the Atlanta Falcons. This offseason, the team signed the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback for a staggering $180 million. Unfortunately, what seemed like a promising investment has rapidly turned into a regretful decision.”

While the Minnesota Vikings were hogging the Monday Night Football spotlight, Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons were also under the lights, narrowly avoiding a loss to their former quarterback, Desmond Ridder. Now, with Cousins’ performance under scrutiny, his time as the starter might be drawing to a close.

Former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has struggled

It took some time for Kirk Cousins to regain his footing after last season’s Achilles injury sidelined him. There was a fleeting moment where he appeared to have recaptured his competence. However, since then, his performance has plummeted, and head coach Raheem Morris might have reached his limit.

Raheem Morris not answer the "Is Kirk Cousins still your starting quarterback?" question.

"We just got back. We still have to go through that process. All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position."
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) December 17, 2024

It’s pretty simple, Kirk Cousins has been bad. Over his last five games, he has nine interceptions and just a single touchdown. The 36-year-old leads the league with 16 interceptions and has just 18 touchdowns. His 3.5% interception rate is a career-worst.

All of this drama is unfolding in the same season where Atlanta used their first-round draft pick on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., potentially signaling a plan B. Kirk Cousins’ leash has never been shorter, and he seems to be doing his part to tighten it further. Meanwhile, the fanbase has reached its breaking point, finding the situation nothing short of comedic.

Raheem Morris dropping a “we can stop that narrative” on Kirk Cousins not throwing a touchdown for a month. Coach, that’s not a narrative. That really happened.
— Sean Manning (@SeanManning_1) December 17, 2024

I legitimately want everyone involved in bringing Kirk Cousins to Atlanta fired.

Like set on fire
— K (@projectjax) December 17, 2024

I advise you to avoid a search of “Kirk Cousins” on X (formerly Twitter) unless you have popcorn and would love to laugh. It’s unfortunate that things have gone this way, but it was also all too predictable.

I had to see Kirk Cousins fail to hand the ball off pic.twitter.com/DCopan6ufK
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 17, 2024

As Kirk Cousins fumbles and throws interceptions at an alarming rate, failing to connect with his receivers, he can at least take comfort in his hefty paycheck. This has been a recurring theme throughout his career from Michigan State, but with the clock ticking, the end of his time as a starter might be drawing near.

If, and when the Falcons eventually cut ties while eating the dead cap hit, it will be fascinating to see what opportunities remain for the nearly-finished veteran.

Update: He lost it…