NFL legend Michael Strahan’s thoughts on Kirk Cousins’ NFL future came into the spotlight on Sunday, less than a week after the Atlanta Falcons traded him away for the foreseeable future in favor of Michael Penix Jr. had placed.
Strahan believes that Cousins will not start another NFL game in his career due to his age and current abilities.
Cousins, 35, signed a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons this offseason, a miraculous return for someone late in his career with no real postseason success.
The former Washington and Minnesota signal caller watched from the sidelines as Penix led the Falcons to a 34-7 victory over the Giants.
“There’s consistency…consistently mediocre. That’s what Kirk (Cousins) has been this year,” Strahan said. “If you’re a great player in your mind, you still are, but sometimes your skill level ebbs and flows.”
“You don’t know when it’s going to happen, it could happen at any time during the season. I think for Kirk Cousins it’s happened now.”
Michael Strahan’s thoughts on Kirk Cousins’ NFL future came into the spotlight on Sunday
Cousins watched from the sidelines as Penix led the Falcons to a 34-7 win over the Giants
Cousins’ contributions led the Falcons to a 7–7 record and a playoff spot, one game behind Tampa Bay for the division lead and two games back of the Commanders for the final wild card spot.
Should the Falcons lose either of their final two games, winning the NFC South would be their only option to make the playoffs, albeit a gamble.
Cousins’ experience and heavy contract led to hesitation to make the move at the end of the season, hoping the veteran could turn the tide. Ultimately, he ran out of time to improve.
“Keep him around, let him teach Michael Penix the ropes of the game,” Strahan added. “It’s good to have that veteran influence, but I think Kirk might just have to humble himself to understand that this is his role right now.”
Reports have surfaced that the Falcons could cut Cousins before March to avoid paying more on his contract than he owes, with the current backup quarterback owed around $90 million over the next three years.