After two seasons ofspending time as the Atlanta Falconsstarting quarterback, Kirk Cousins was forced to find a new landing spot. Atlanta turned the page, bringing in Tua Tagovailoa, while Cousins is expected to start the season with the Las Vegas Raiders, helping get first-round pick Fernando Mendoza ready to make his expected debut. Still, there is no question that Cousins remains fiery and a well-respected leader even as the talent and performance are clearly fading.
Cousins displayed this in practice, getting into a skirmish with Maxx Crosby after the edge rusher refused to pay attention to the no-contact rule. Twice, Crosby made contact with Cousins, and the quarterback wasn't going to let it slide, understanding just how fragile his career has become and understanding that one injury would be enough to likely slide the veteran into a backup role for the rest of his career.
For Crosby, it is understandable that the veteran edge rusher plays at one speed, but there must be a level of control with reps against your own team. Even with the frustrating history that Cousins has in Atlanta, it is easy to side with the quarterback in this case.
Making contact against any starter in this phase of camp is a mistake that cannot be tolerated. This is especially the case with Cousins, who has already proven limited when it comes to pocket movement and being able to utilize his legs to escape trouble.
Former Falcons Quarterback Kirk Cousins Sends Clear Message with Camp Skirmish
Still, it is hard not to like Cousins as a leader and understand what could've been if not for an injury against the New Orleans Saints in the 2024 season that completely derailed his Atlanta tenure. Prior to this, the quarterback was putting up eye-popping numbers and playing at a level that suggested the Falcons were going to win the NFC South.
Fast forward to the injury, and it would result in a quarterback change that Atlanta didn't look back from. Cousins would only get another chance in the lineup when Michael Penix Jr. suffered an injury and it was clear the confidence was eroded and that there were limitations on his game.
This makes it extremely understandable that the veteran is so defensive when it comes to his health and following camp rules. Crosby was in the wrong, and Cousins understandably is sending a message, doing everything in his power to hold onto a career that continues to slip in the wrong direction.
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