The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the most discussed teams in the NFL during the offseason.
They made a big splash at the beginning of free agency, signing Kirk Cousins to a massive deal.
While there was significant optimism about the team’s future under Cousins at the time of the signing, the team made an unsuspected move that put everything into question.
The Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, which many fans and analysts found confusing.
This made some people wonder if Cousins isn’t fully healthy after his Achilles injury, suggesting that the Falcons were drafting a replacement, potentially a fill-in starter, to relieve him.
After hearing some of the noise, Cousins recently appeared on Jim Rome’s show, talking about the current state of his injury and return timeline.
“I’m not fully 100% yet, but to be out there, getting reps, throwing the football, makes a meaningful difference,” Cousins said.
.@KirkCousins8 on where he’s at in his Achilles rehab. pic.twitter.com/wG1QyqPQFW
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) May 28, 2024
He might not be all the way back, but these comments seem to be a step in the right direction.
With any luck, Cousins will be back for the Falcons’ season opener, and this team can see what they can do with a consistent quarterback.
Consistency is something the Falcons have craved for the past several seasons, and with Cousins under center, they have a veteran who should be able to provide that for them.
Cousins has proven himself to acclimate well to teams with great receiving options, as was the case with the Minnesota Vikings and players like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson.
Can the Falcons find their way back to relevance in 2024 with this in mind?