Trending
The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback saga has taken a bold turn as veteran Kirk Cousins finds himself in a new role on ESPN’s NFL Countdown. After a turbulent 2024 season that saw him benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., Cousins is now stepping into the spotlight of sports commentary.
Kirk Cousins, who is 36 years old, started 14 games for the Falcons last season, but things didn’t go as planned. He finished the year alongside the leads in league interceptions, with a staggering total of 16 picks. The NFL world watched as the veteran couldn’t connect consistently with his teammates, slinging just one touchdown in his final five games, leaving fans and analysts questioning his future with the franchise. With a record of 7-7, the Falcons struggled, leading to the decision to bench Cousins in his final games.
After being replaced by the promising Penix Jr., Cousins has chosen to trade the football field for the television studio. He will feature as a guest analyst on ESPN, beginning with the ‘Postseason NFL Countdown,’ set to air on January 18, 2025. His new job suggests that while his playing days may be waning, his involvement in the sport is far from over. Fans remember his impactful career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he racked up impressive statistics, accumulating nearly 43,000 passing yards and over 280 touchdowns.
The Falcons are facing a challenging decision regarding Cousins’ future. He is currently under a substantial four-year, $180 million contract, which includes a no-trade clause, meaning he has significant control over where he could go next, should he leave the team. There’s also a looming $10 million roster bonus that becomes guaranteed by March 16, 2025, adding pressure on the Falcons to make a decision quickly. If they want to cut ties with Cousins, they’ll need to handle the financial implications, which would amount to $65 million in dead money if released before the deadline.
Michael Penix Jr., the rookie who took Cousins’ place after being drafted eighth overall, has shown great potential in his short stint with the Falcons. He started the last three games of the season, providing a glimmer of hope for the fans, with 775 passing yards and a touchdown. As the Falcons assess their future direction, they must consider if Cousins can still be a reliable leader, or if it’s time to move on entirely and really commit to the new hope in Penix Jr.
As speculation grows around Cousins’ next step, his guest appearance on ESPN places him in a favorable position for a future in sports media. It’s a common trend in the NFL for former quarterbacks to transition smoothly into analyst roles. The move hints that Cousins may be exploring life beyond just football, perhaps cultivating a career that allows him to share his experiences and insights about the game with fans and viewers.
Fans of both the Falcons and the NFL have been buzzing about the changes surrounding Cousins. Many expressed disappointment over his performances but also expressed support during this challenging transition. Commentators have noted that while some might view being benched as a setback, others recognize that Cousins is a seasoned player who’s still capable of making significant contributions, whether on the field or behind the microphone on ESPN.
As he embarks on this new phase in his career, Cousins leaves behind a mixed legacy as a starting quarterback. Below is a glance at his notable statistics from his last season:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Started | 14 |
| Passing Yards | 3,508 |
| Touchdowns | 18 |
| Interceptions | 16 |
| Fumbles | 13 |
Fans eagerly await to see how Cousins adapts to his new role, bringing his extensive knowledge of the game to the broadcasting table, while also following the developments of the Falcons moving forward.
The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback saga has taken a bold turn as veteran Kirk Cousins finds himself in a new role on ESPN’s NFL Countdown. After a turbulent 2024 season that saw him benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., Cousins is now stepping into the spotlight of sports commentary.
Kirk Cousins, who is 36 years old, started 14 games for the Falcons last season, but things didn’t go as planned. He finished the year alongside the leads in league interceptions, with a staggering total of 16 picks. The NFL world watched as the veteran couldn’t connect consistently with his teammates, slinging just one touchdown in his final five games, leaving fans and analysts questioning his future with the franchise. With a record of 7-7, the Falcons struggled, leading to the decision to bench Cousins in his final games.
After being replaced by the promising Penix Jr., Cousins has chosen to trade the football field for the television studio. He will feature as a guest analyst on ESPN, beginning with the ‘Postseason NFL Countdown,’ set to air on January 18, 2025. His new job suggests that while his playing days may be waning, his involvement in the sport is far from over. Fans remember his impactful career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he racked up impressive statistics, accumulating nearly 43,000 passing yards and over 280 touchdowns.
The Falcons are facing a challenging decision regarding Cousins’ future. He is currently under a substantial four-year, $180 million contract, which includes a no-trade clause, meaning he has significant control over where he could go next, should he leave the team. There’s also a looming $10 million roster bonus that becomes guaranteed by March 16, 2025, adding pressure on the Falcons to make a decision quickly. If they want to cut ties with Cousins, they’ll need to handle the financial implications, which would amount to $65 million in dead money if released before the deadline.
Michael Penix Jr., the rookie who took Cousins’ place after being drafted eighth overall, has shown great potential in his short stint with the Falcons. He started the last three games of the season, providing a glimmer of hope for the fans, with 775 passing yards and a touchdown. As the Falcons assess their future direction, they must consider if Cousins can still be a reliable leader, or if it’s time to move on entirely and really commit to the new hope in Penix Jr.
As speculation grows around Cousins’ next step, his guest appearance on ESPN places him in a favorable position for a future in sports media. It’s a common trend in the NFL for former quarterbacks to transition smoothly into analyst roles. The move hints that Cousins may be exploring life beyond just football, perhaps cultivating a career that allows him to share his experiences and insights about the game with fans and viewers.
Fans of both the Falcons and the NFL have been buzzing about the changes surrounding Cousins. Many expressed disappointment over his performances but also expressed support during this challenging transition. Commentators have noted that while some might view being benched as a setback, others recognize that Cousins is a seasoned player who’s still capable of making significant contributions, whether on the field or behind the microphone on ESPN.
As he embarks on this new phase in his career, Cousins leaves behind a mixed legacy as a starting quarterback. Below is a glance at his notable statistics from his last season:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Started | 14 |
| Passing Yards | 3,508 |
| Touchdowns | 18 |
| Interceptions | 16 |
| Fumbles | 13 |
Fans eagerly await to see how Cousins adapts to his new role, bringing his extensive knowledge of the game to the broadcasting table, while also following the developments of the Falcons moving forward.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
The information provided by California News Bird is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the content we publish is accurate, current, and reliable, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or availability of the information, products, or services contained on our website.
