For a quarterback who had posted strong numbers in recent years with the Minnesota Vikings, only to suffer a devastating Achilles injury, the long and grueling recovery ultimately brought an exit from the team and a move to the Atlanta Falcons. In his debut season with Atlanta, he was benched late in the year and has now been relegated to the role of backup.
Facing this transition, Cousins has chosen to reinvent himself as a supportive teammate, a dedicated father, and someone his peers can look to for inspiration both on and off the field.
My boys are 7 and 6 and I’ve exhausted all the good movies I know of to watch.”… “Friday night is movie night at the Cousins house and I said, ‘You got any deep cut suggestions?
Cousins said early in training camp.
This moment took place in the team cafeteria, where Cousins casually asked teammates for recommendations on good films to watch with his kids. One suggested a documentary about surfing penguins, underscoring the lighter, more relaxed phase the veteran is now experiencing.
A 14-year NFL veteran, Cousins has shifted to working with the second team, a dramatic change from leading the Falcons’ offense. His practice reps are fewer, but he approaches the situation with calm and positivity.
Injuries hit Cousins hard
In Week 16 last season, the Falcons coaching staff made the decision to remove Cousins from the starting lineup. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took control of the offense and has held the job since.
The Achilles injury was not the only setback. Cousins also dealt with elbow and shoulder problems, the latter suffered in a game against the New Orleans Saints. His tenure as a starter was also marred by nine interceptions.
After these setbacks, Cousins quietly explored leaving Atlanta in hopes of landing with a team willing to give him a starting role. He skipped voluntary offseason workouts, only reporting when mandatory attendance was required.
Now, however, those frustrations have faded. Instead of clinging to resentment, Cousins has accepted his role and even embraced being a mentor to Penix, offering guidance and support to the young quarterback.
A radical change for Cousins
As preseason practices unfold, Cousins has responded far better to his new role than he did last year. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris noted that he looks more mobile than when he arrived in 2024.
It’s incredible.”… “It’s like, dude, he’s so good. He’s really good. He’s a special player and just his processing, his accuracy and just his ability to switch it up, he’s playing a game out there. We’re not just getting practice reps, you know what I mean? It’s not like the guy that’s a second-[teamer], or a rookie that’s just trying to remember what his plays are.
Said Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss.
Falcons passing game coordinator TJ Yates echoed that sentiment, praising Cousins’ presence.
It’s never going to be the same as it was, but it’s different in a different way.”… “But I think it’s better just because Kirk has been an absolute pro in every part of the process so far in how much he helps Mike and helps all the other quarterbacks in the room and at the same time getting himself prepared to go out there and perform. It is not an easy task for him to do and it’s foreign to him, but he’s handling everything like a pro and we’re lucky to have him in the room.
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