Former Buccaneers QB points out how Vikings could do Kirk Cousins dirty again in 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is entering into a new reality. After rising through the ranks for most of his career, he now finds himself potentially on the way down the backside of the mountain. The Vikings seemingly knew this was on the horizon, electing to move on after his Achilles injury in 2023 with no chance to prove that he should belong.
Cousins' journey has been unconventional with multiple stops in his prime, but now he could be on the move once again as the Falcons turn the page. However, the Minnesota Vikings could have an effect on Cousins' market should they part ways with Sam Darnold after the season.
At least, that is what NFL analyst and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Chris Simms said on a Wednesday edition of "Pro Football Talk."
"It could be Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold, and the Sam Darnold thing is going to hurt Cousins because people are going to go, 'Wait, he's got a better arm and he's a cheaper option,'" Simms said.
Of course, if Sam Darnold gets chosen ahead of Cousins, it still leaves every other remaining team to choose Cousins. However, depending on how things shake out, the team that passes on Cousins could be the one where he had the greatest chance of success.
Benching signifies end of Kirk Cousins' 2024 season
With the Atlanta Falcons benching Kirk Cousins, his win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football might have been his final game of the year. With the trade deadline long since passed, Cousins may have wrapped his year.
Aside from a potential injury to Michael Penix Jr. or perhaps some final kneel-downs or handoffs, Cousins' statistics have been carved in stone.
This season, Cousins has thrown for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also completed 66.9% of his passes, a step down from 2023's 69.5% completion rate. However, it was a step up in completion percentage from 2022 when he completed 65.9% of his throws.
If his season is effectively over, Cousins' 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions go down as arguably his worst ratio since 2014, when he threw for 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In 2013, he threw for four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
At age 36, the question now becomes whether Cousins still has gas in the tank and, if so, how much.
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.