(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
The Atlanta Falcons’ season has unraveled faster than anyone in the building could have imagined. What began with a promising 6–3 start in 2024 has deteriorated into a five-game losing streak, mounting injuries, and another early quarterback change. Yet in the middle of the chaos, veteran Kirk Cousins finds himself back under center—unexpectedly, but not unwillingly. With Michael Penix Jr. sidelined and key playmakers hurt, Cousins has stepped into a difficult moment determined to steady the team and fight for a head coach he still firmly believes in. For Cousins, Week 12 isn’t just a return to the lineup—it’s an opportunity to rally a fractured roster around Raheem Morris, a coach he says players genuinely want to win for.
Cousins Returns to QB1 Amid Injury Crisis
The Falcons confirmed that Cousins will start in Week 12 and could remain the starter for the rest of the season after Penix suffered a left knee injury against Carolina. Penix will be placed on injured reserve and could miss the remainder of the year, the latest setback in a career already defined by major injuries.
Cousins took over in the third quarter of the loss, finishing 6-for-14 for 48 yards with a 29.9 QBR. Atlanta also lost star receiver Drake London to a PCL injury that will keep him out at least one week, further stretching an offense already searching for rhythm.
At 3–7 and heading into a rivalry game against the Saints, Atlanta enters Week 12 bruised, shorthanded, and sliding down the NFC standings. But Cousins insists the only path forward is through resilience.
“There’s no magic formula,” Cousins said. “You just get back to work and trust your training… tough times don’t last.”
Raheem Morris’ Leadership Still Resonates in a Struggling Season
Despite the losses piling up, Cousins made clear that Morris has not lost the locker room. His belief in the head coach remains unwavering.
“He’s a coach you want to win for,” Cousins said. “He’s in your corner and giving you what you need to be successful.”
Morris’ message this week echoed a familiar theme—reset, refocus, and commit to the next-man-up mentality. Injuries to Penix and London only reinforced that approach. Morris praised players like Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts as leaders capable of sustaining the group while the roster absorbs blow after blow.
But even Morris admits the situation is dire. Since beginning 6–3 last season, Atlanta has gone just 5–13 under his watch. The Falcons have become experts in letting games slip away, including blowing a 21–7 halftime lead to Carolina in Week 11.
“We keep letting these opportunities slip,” Morris said. “We’ve got enough players… it’s all hands on deck.”
Atlanta’s Season Spirals as Missed Opportunities Mount
Sunday’s collapse followed a now-familiar pattern: early momentum, stalled offense, defensive lapses, and crucial penalties. Bryce Young shredded the Falcons’ secondary for 448 yards—this after a month of criticism surrounding his performance.
The loss marked Atlanta’s fifth straight and dropped them to 3–7, placing them on the edge of another lost season. Only two teams in NFL history have made the postseason after such a start.
With the franchise trading away its 2026 first-round pick to draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr., the Falcons don’t even have the silver lining of tanking for a top pick. Every win—and every loss—only intensifies the pressure to find solutions now, not later.
A High-Priced Backup Takes Center Stage Once Again
Cousins’ return is also a reminder of the unconventional quarterback situation the Falcons built. After signing Cousins to a four-year, $100 million guaranteed contract in 2024, the team shocked the league by drafting Penix eighth overall just weeks later.
The long-term plan appeared set: Penix would eventually replace Cousins. But the short-term plan—Cousins leading a playoff push—fell apart when he injured his shoulder and elbow in Week 10 last year. He struggled upon returning, throwing nine interceptions during a four-game slide before being benched in favor of Penix.
The expectation entering 2025 was that Cousins would be traded or released. Instead, Atlanta kept him as the most expensive backup in the NFL.
Now he’s the starter again, and possibly auditioning for his next team.
Can Cousins Steady the Falcons?
The Falcons remain talented but inconsistent. Penix showed flashes this season, but his 60.1% completion rate and 56.4 QBR reflect a young quarterback still finding his way. Cousins, at 37, brings stability—and an urgency tied to his uncertain future.
Morris expects the offense to shift stylistically with Cousins leading it.
“It’s fair to say the offense will look different,” Morris said. “Kirk and Mike have different playing styles… and we’ll do what Kirk does well.”
Atlanta will likely lean more heavily on the run game and quick timing throws, minimizing risk while depending on veterans to carry the load.
And while Cousins knows the playoffs are a long shot, he remains committed to lifting the team.
“You just stay the course,” he said. “That’s all you can do.”
The Falcons’ season is teetering, injuries are piling up, and their playoff hopes are fading fast. But amid the instability, Kirk Cousins’ leadership offers a small measure of steadiness. His return may not turn Atlanta into a postseason contender overnight, but it gives the team a veteran presence—one still motivated to play for Raheem Morris and one determined not to let another season slip away without a fight.
