Kirk Cousins has a unmarried playoff victory in his lengthy profession.
Even so, the Atlanta Falcons are making a bet no less than $100 million that he’s the quarterback who can manage this star-crossed franchise to its first Tremendous Bowl championship.
Cousins was once presented Wednesday night by way of the Falcons, who made a huge financial commitment to land some of the largest prizes of NFL detached company.
“When the owner, general manager, head coach and quarterback are on the same page, that’s when you really have a chance to go win a Super Bowl,” Cousins mentioned on the crew’s suburban coaching facility.
“As I look at the Atlanta Falcons, I believe strongly that the owner, head coach, general manager and quarterback can all be on the same page. That’s exciting for me and why I’m thrilled to be here.”
The 35-year-old Cousins is aware of there’s one heavy knock placing over him: an lack of ability to win the heavy sport. Of his 4 profession playoff begins, his simplest victory got here within the wild-card around all through the 2019 season.
“Winning is what it’s all about,” Cousins mentioned. “I just want to win.”
The Falcons consider Cousins is an ideal have compatibility for his or her offense, which turns out to have enough of guns however was once plagued by way of inconsistent play games on the maximum leading place at the grassland the utmost two years.
Marcus Mariota was once a stopgap in 2022 next the crew trim ties with longtime starter Matt Ryan, and Desmond Ridder didn’t accumulation the process he was once passed utmost season.
Atlanta hasn’t had a successful season or made the playoffs since 2017, so going with Cousins — who’s recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon — seems to be the most productive hope of turning issues round briefly.
The Falcons are now not in rebuilding method. They consider it’s life to manufacture a run at a championship, which has eluded this franchise because it entered the NFL in 1966.
As for his non-public legacy, Cousins is aware of a heavy piece is lacking.
“Quarterbacks will always be evaluated not just from September to December, but for January and February,” he mentioned. “That’s where you want to get to. And once you get there, you want to have meaningful wins.”
Cousins could have enough of guns at his disposal. The Falcons worn their utmost 3 first-round choices on tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson. All 5 starters go back on an offensive form this is in large part locked ill with multi-year offer.
“You got to go prove it in the fall,” Cousins mentioned. “But I certainly believe the pieces are here that we can do that.”
The Falcons confirmed how a lot self belief they’ve in Cousins by way of giving him an $180 million, four-year oath that features a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million assured.
Now not unholy for a man whose ultimate season with the Minnesota Vikings was once trim shorten by way of the Achilles tendon tear.
Cousins mentioned his cure is correct on time table, and he hopes to be at complete velocity smartly ahead of the beginning of coaching camp.
“I’m feeling great,” mentioned Cousins, dressed in a grey go well with and appearing incorrect indicators of his trauma. “I’m optimistic that I can be full speed at practice before we break for the summer. That’s kind of the goal I’ve set for myself. But we do have a long runway. What I’ve been told, going back to when I first injured it, is you don’t rush it. You let time do its thing.”
Ahead of the trauma, Cousins was once on week for the most productive numbers of his profession — 38 touchdowns and just about 5,000 yards passing. In seven of the former 8 seasons, he threw for greater than 4,000 yards.
Distinction that with Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, who handled the inauguration process like a scorching potato a yr in the past, as former professor Arthur Smith went from side to side in a determined bid to spark the offense.
Not anything labored, and Smith was once fired hours next the overall sport. Ridder and Heinicke mixed to throw for three,726 yards, with slightly extra touchdowns (17) than interceptions (16).
Raheem Morris was once leased as Smith’s successor off Sean McVay’s workforce in Los Angeles, and he introduced alongside Rams quarterback professor Zac Robinson as his offensive coordinator.
The Falcons will run a fast paced offense with fast throws and enough of movement, simply one of these scheme that Cousins has treated adeptly all over his profession.
Cousins already feels proper at house.
His spouse Julie, grew up within the Atlanta suburbs. That is the place they went on their first future, the place they were given married, the place their youngest son was once born. Her people nonetheless lives within the section. Cousins has spent the utmost six years doing his offseason coaching within the town.
“I’ve battled traffic through downtown many, many times,” he added with a grin.
Reporting by way of The Related Press.
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