Questions about Kirk Cousins’ future intensify as issues with the Falcons’ loss to Minnesota continue

But it’s also becoming increasingly clear that the Falcons have a Kirk Cousins ​​problem, and that part of it is of their own making. As soon as they selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round — a decision that shocked Cousins ​​and just about everyone outside the Falcons’ draft room — the questions began about what the Falcons would do if Cousins ​​struggled wouldn’t be a completely unexpected possibility given the severity of his injury in 2023. Well, he’s been struggling – he hasn’t thrown a single touchdown pass during the four-game layoff, but has thrown eight interceptions – and those questions are becoming more pointed and more forceful.

There was no response from head coach Raheem Morris on Sunday.

“Everything is always discussed when you watch the tape,” he said. “Kirk Cousins ​​is our quarterback. Kirk played significantly better than the week before. We’re going to do whatever is best to win football games and Kirk is definitely a part of that.”

This is almost certainly true. As long as the Falcons are in the playoff race, the bet that Cousins ​​gets out of his personal decline is safer than the bet that a rookie who has never prepared as a starter will consistently perform better in the playoff race than Cousins ​​​​could provide the highest pressure environment.

Morris later said he didn’t think the Falcons did enough to support Cousins ​​on Sunday.

That was certainly true, even though the Falcons’ pass rush picked off Darnold four times and the defense played well enough to keep the ball close. At one point it was 21-21, although, as Cousins ​​noted when he saw the ball again, it was 35-21. And the Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFL at 11-2 and continue to put pressure on the Detroit Lions to keep winning and hold on to the NFC North. Barring Cousins’ return, it was always going to be a difficult game for the Falcons.

But Cousins ​​was brought to Atlanta to raise them, not to need the raise himself. The question that lingers in the final month of the season is whether this can be reversed and whether he is still capable of doing so.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with Cousins ​​for a few moments after the game and the two expressed gratitude for their time together. Of course, Cousins ​​said he was disappointed that day because he made mistakes on the two interceptions. Cousins ​​is excited and exuberant when his team wins, but he stands firm when they lose, and even on what was for him an emotionally charged day, he was analytical and gracious, never raising his voice but rarely raising his eyes either. When told that Morris had said Cousins ​​had played better than last week — which was a four-interception nightmare — Cousins ​​smiled briefly.

“Last week the bar was low,” he said. “I felt better today. Felt more like myself.”

He later added: “I would like to play with a lot more power. It’s disappointing not to have a touchdown pass.”

Cousins ​​demurred when asked what he thought about seeing Darnold play so well even though he wasn’t.

“Sam played great,” he said. “He did a great job today. I’m happy for him and his style of play.”