Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts reportedly put the full-court press on Kirk Cousins early this offseason, ultimately convincing the Pro Bowl quarterback to take his talents to Atlanta.
Kirk Cousins, who signed a colossal $180 million contract, has been rumored to have been joking around with the Pro Bowl tight end about who would get to wear the No. 8 if they both wound up on the same roster. According to a report from Pro Football Talk, the two previously discussed the jersey number quandary in recent weeks.
It would officially be tampering if Pitts spoke to Cousins directly before the legal tampering period began, now the duo must figure out who gets to wear the jersey beginning in 2024.
“He was funny about it,” Cousins revealed during his introductory press conference. “I said ‘I’ll write a check to charity, your foundation, whatever, I’m not going to let you just give me the number. I want to make it worth your while, I’ll make a donation, whatever it needs to be. He was funny about it, he said ‘I just want targets every game,’ he kind of winked, it was great.”
Opinions Split on Kirk Cousins’ Impact on Falcons
Cousins arrives in Atlanta with just one playoff victory on his resumé, and is coming off of an Achilles injury that ended his season after just 12 weeks.
The Falcons clearly believe he is capable of elevating them into the upper echelon of the NFC and into the postseason. Some, aren’t so sure.
“He’s an upgrade but he’s not the answer,” an AFC South Scout tells me. “He had weapons in Minnesota — Justin Jefferson, anyone? And how many playoff wins does he have? Plus, he’s coming off an Achilles injury.
“I like the signing. I don’t love the signing.”
The Falcons are looking to end a six-year playoff drought, with the belief Cousins can elevate an offense that includes Pitts, field-stretcher Drake London and electrifying young running back in Bijan Robinson. Cousins certainly has the weapons and the pedigree of consistency, averaging 3,289 passing yards, 22.5 touchdowns, and nine interceptions per season thus far in his career. Whether he can deliver the results remains to be seen.
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