New Falcons teammates make feelings about Kirk Cousins clear

Atlanta Falcons players had only positive things to say about what quarterback Kirk Cousins offered the club ahead of training camp and amid what's been a unique offseason for the organization.

"I don’t think I’ve really had somebody sit me down and tell me how to do things like he does," Falcons running back Bijan Robinson recently said about Cousins, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "The cool thing about him is having a quarterback who studies so much. Just having a guy who can obviously sling the ball but is also really particular about all the details, and what he does (is invaluable)."

Cousins received a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed from the Falcons in March to become their new starting quarterback presumably for the foreseeable future. Questions about the club's long-term commitment to Cousins arose, however, after Atlanta made signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. the eighth selection of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25. The Falcons reportedly made that decision without telling Cousins in March they could spend a first-round draft choice on a quarterback the following month.

The Penix pick reportedly wasn't related to potential concerns regarding the fact that Cousins is still recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered while playing for the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 29 of last year. One couldn't blame the 35-year-old for feeling at least slightly betrayed by individuals within the Falcons, but backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke indicated Cousins has thus far been a unifying force.

"He’s probably one of the most professional quarterbacks I have worked with, just how he does everything, how he talks to guys," Heinicke said about Cousins. "It’s really impressive to see."

As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as the betting favorites at -115 odds to win the NFC South division title for the upcoming season. Cousins sounds eager to get back to work following the club's six-week summer break that gets underway on Thursday.

"That’s probably my favorite part of the job right now is trying to help them get to where they want to go but knowing that they are going to need a little bit of help to do that," Cousins said about working with his new teammates. "I can’t wait to be a part of getting them to where they want to go."

For what it's worth, some think Cousins and the Falcons could part ways as soon as next offseason if he doesn't "help them get to where they want to go" through Week 18 of the 2024 campaign.