We’ve heard the narrative countless times: the Atlanta Falcons could be dangerous if they find the right quarterback. As of Monday, March 11, they may have found their guy. Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a four-year $180-million-dollar contract with the Falcons. The deal was made official on Wednesday, March 13. His signing has the Falcons as the favorites to win the NFC South this season.
Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ divisional dominance over the past three years, the Falcons’ roster appears superior. Moreover, the NFC South seems poised to be one of the league’s weakest divisions in the upcoming season. This trend began in Tom Brady’s final year with the Buccaneers when they won the division despite an 8-9 record.
The New Orleans Saints were expected to dominate the following year after signing quarterback Derek Carr to a lucrative contract. However, they failed to control the division, allowing Tampa Bay to secure their third consecutive NFC South title. Now, signs point to Atlanta as the new favorite to dominate a division characterized by parity since 2022.
But can the Falcons do more than dominate the NFC South with Cousins under center? During his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins only made the playoffs twice in six seasons as the starting QB. However, in the 2023 campaign, he was on the verge of winning the league MVP award before a torn ACL ended his season against the Green Bay Packers.
Before his injury, Cousins threw for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. One wonders what the NFC North landscape would have been like had he not been injured. Perhaps it would have been the Vikings, not the Detroit Lions, challenging the San Francisco 49ers for a Super Bowl berth.
Cousins’ insertion into the Falcons roster is a bit intriguing. Can he be the quarterback that elevates them to heights not seen since their 2016 Super Bowl run? If so, it would resemble Brady’s impact on the Buccaneers in 2020, when he led them to their second Super Bowl title.
The current Falcons roster boasts a new head coach in Raheem Morris, who played a vital role in the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl win in 2021. Offensively, the Falcons are well-positioned, with bright minds like offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and talented players like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. The Falcons also signed free-agent wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore to go along with the signing of Cousins.
Cousins will have the firepower needed to excel in the NFC South, but whether he can lead the Falcons to success beyond the division remains to be seen.
Looking at the broader landscape of the NFC, the Falcons’ success will also depend on how they stack up against formidable opponents outside their division. The NFC boasts strong contenders like the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and the San Francisco 49ers, all of whom pose significant challenges for any team eyeing a deep playoff run. Both players have added reinforcements for the Falcons’ already potent offense.
Furthermore, Cousins must demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure in crucial games, which has eluded him. While he has made impressive numbers during the regular season, Cousins has faced criticism for his performances in high-stakes matchups, particularly in the playoffs.
However, with a talented supporting cast and a revamped coaching staff in Atlanta, Cousins may finally have the pieces to silence his critics and lead the Falcons to postseason success. If he can replicate his regular-season success on the biggest stage, the Falcons could emerge as legitimate contenders in the NFC.
Ultimately, the success of the Falcons with Cousins at the helm will hinge on his ability to elevate the team’s performance beyond just dominating the NFC South. With the right pieces in place, the Falcons have the potential to make waves in the NFC and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the league. Only time will tell if Cousins can deliver on the high expectations of his anticipated arrival in Atlanta.
