To say the Atlanta Falcons' 2025 season hasn't gone according to plan at the quarterback position would be a generous understatement. Michael Penix Jr. was supposed to be the team's future at the position. Instead, the quarterback was unable to stay upright for a full season, realizing the injury concerns that haunted the signal caller throughout his college days. This is the third serious ACL injury the quarterback has suffered in his right knee. This opened the door for Kirk Cousins to reclaim his career, and the quarterback is quickly making his case.
Over the last two weeks of the season, Cousins has tossed five touchdowns to a lone interception and tallied 570 passing yards. It helps the case of the quarterback that this production has come in back-to-back wins when the Falcons have nothing to play for. While this might be true for the franchise, it is clear that Cousins is playing for his career and not to be relegated to the bench as a veteran backup.
This effort is off to a great start, making it clear the quarterback should be under consideration as a starter, whether in Atlanta or elsewhere. The Falcons appeared destined to cut the signal caller in the 2026 offseason and absorb the $35 million dead cap hit in favor of the scheduled $57 cap hit that Cousins would be on the active roster.
Cousins Making Falcons Offseason QB Decisions Surprisingly Difficult
This is a $22 million decision that will be decided based on the final games of the season. The Falcons cannot count on Penix entering the 2026 season and need a solid plan behind the injured starter. Whether this is Cousins or a free agent bridge option can be debated. Atlanta already traded its 2025 first-round selection to be able to draft both Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr, though, so barring another trade, fans shouldn't expect another first-round QB to be selected by Atlanta in April.
While the addition of Pearce has aged well, as the rookie has piled up 8.5 sacks in his first season with the Falcons. The loss of the first-round selection further complicates the decision at quarterback. It creates a wider path for Cousins to continue to play well and force his way onto the 2026 roster as a viable starting option.
Keeping the veteran isn't completely outlandish when you consider that the Falcons did take hold of the NFC South for the first half of 2024 before Kirk's injury. It also helps that the quarterback has gone 3-0 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, dominating the division rivalry.
This isn't to downplay last season's collapse or the clear limits that Cousins's lack of mobility puts on the offense. Rather, it is looking objectively at the situation and understanding the Falcons have very few options, and Cousins is mounting a compelling case.
The real test will be this week's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, who are coming off a disheartening defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. Atlanta will get the best effort from an extremely talented roster and aggressive defense. If Cousins continues to play well, facing far stiffer competition and can keep the Falcons competitive, his case to remain on the 2026 roster grows all the more interesting.