Raheem Morris’ Hands Forced to Reunite Kirk Cousins With Former HC as Falcons QB Warned About Vikings Deja Vú

On paper, the Atlanta Falcons seem to be the best destination for Kirk Cousins. Logistically speaking, his wife Julie is from the metro area, and her parents (diehard Falcons fans) live close by. Now, coming to finances, the veteran quarterback is currently on a four-year, $180 million contract he signed last year with a whopping $100 million guaranteed. What’s not to like, right? Well, despite the team’s unyielding determination to keep the signal caller, a slow rift seems to have taken shape…

The controversy, seemingly, stemmed from the team signing former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr 8th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft—a decision that reportedly left the veteran shocked and stunned. To be honest, though, the relationship may have strained further owing to some “lies” Cousins might have told the front office. As per a Sports Illustrated report, he downplayed a right shoulder and elbow injury he sustained vs the New Orleans Saints on November 10 last year—perhaps fearing losing his starting job to rookie Penix Jr. What makes it suspicious is how his name never appeared on the injury report except for one week after the game concluded. Talking about the same, GM Terry Fontenot had said in February, “He was on the injury report that one week. When a player’s injured, we put him on the injury report. That’s the only time he was on the injury report. So, as far as we’re concerned, that’s the only injury we were aware of.”

Unfortunately, Cousins couldn’t keep his fears at bay for long. In Week 16, HC Raheem Morris announced the starting quarterback’s benching after a string of poor showings. Not only did he lead the league with 16 interceptions, and tied for the league-lead in fumbles, but during the QB’s final five starts, he threw only one touchdown and nine interceptions while the team went 1-4 The expected result? Kirk asking to be “cut loose” because he’s not interested in being a backup. At 36 years of age, Cousins knows starting is the only way to extend his career, and now analysts are speculating about where he could land. Interestingly, some suggestions even revisit familiar ground, despite the Falcons’ front office repeatedly expressing their wish to retain Cousins.

On April 3, NFL analysts Mike Florio and Charean Williams discussed his potential trade on NFL on NBC. Williams raised questions about the Falcons’ QB situation, and that’s when Florio suggested that Kirk Cousins might be on the trade block.

The analyst said, “It’s intriguing. Primarily because he’s a backup who could end up being a starter. Because after the draft—and he’s reportedly not going to wave his no-trade clause until after the draft. Because he doesn’t want to have what happened last year happen again this year, where he finds out the hard way on draft night he’s probably not going to be the starter for long after the draft. There will be, I think, one or two spots where he becomes an obvious candidate to be traded. Browns, Steelers are the two that I’m watching the most carefully. I have a feeling it’s going to be a Browns reunion with Kevin Stefanski…not a ridiculously expensive contract, which is important when you’ve got so many cap dollars tied up into Deshaun Watson.” Taking a cue from the past could be a good option.

Notably, this comes days after the Falcons HC Raheem Morris had talked about how they were not willing to let go of Cousins just yet. “We invested in Kirk last year. We invested in some major way, and right now we feel really strong about him being our backup quarterback and the things he can do for us.”I do know he would like to try to be a starter at some point. That’s been clearly communicated with me and whoever else he had an opportunity to talk to. I do know that. The way about that, I’m not sure, but we’ll have to figure those things out and we’ll have to get to that process.”

However, he also said, “There’s definitely a human side when you want to see him go out and be the best version of himself. This is not a thing where we’re holding you back if the opportunity presents itself. If it’s something that’s good for both of us — it’s good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins — we certainly would like to see that happen,” he had said.

The Browns HC and Kirk Cousins were on very good terms during their time together in the Vikings. In 2018, Stefanski was the team’s quarterback coach and progressed to the offensive coordinator in 2019. He became the Browns’ head coach in 2020. But there’s a big headache. The Falcons has a massive deal signed with the quarterback till 2027. On the other hand, the Browns are dealing with $92 million left on Deshaun Watson’s contract. Also, there is a no-trade clause on the Falcons’ QB deal.

He is rumored not to touch the deal till the draft. There is only one condition he is concerned about. He wants to be the starter. Raheem Morris has already revealed his intention of trading him if the right opportunity comes. It looks like history is repeating itself.

Kirk Cousins is facing the same dilemma

In 2022, the former Vikings signal caller had a successful season with a 13-4 win-loss record. But an Achilles heel injury in 2023 forced him out of the remaining season. Vikes GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah released a statement after finalizing the deal.

It read, “After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short- and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings.” But the deal did not fulfill his dream, thanks to a Penix Jr trade.

He hadn’t expected this from the franchise. It might have lowered his confidence as he only had 18 touchdowns.

Even if they sign him and promise him the world, the real scenario can take a quick 180 in the draft. They chose 2nd in the draft. There is a classic debate about Cam Ward vs Shedeur Sanders. Watson can also return before the season begins. It’s as exciting as it could get.