The Atlanta Falcons have been criticized, criticized and criticized some more for how they've handled this off-season. Atlanta's selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 draft has caused much more strife than a selection of a top-ten quarterback should for a franchise. So, when someone gives the Falcons their kudos for the other moves they made, they deserve to get a bit of recognition. The 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher reminded everyone that, despite their questionable first-round pick, Atlanta still is a big winner this off-season with the acquisition of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The last six years have not been kind to the Atlanta Falcons. Not only have they failed to make the postseason since 2017, but they have not won more than seven games in any season. Things have fallen off in the post–Matt Ryan era as the Falcons have cycled through several quarterbacks. But the worst part of it all is that Atlanta has felt irrelevant in the NFC South.
However, that changed after the Falcons signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal this offseason. Despite coming off an Achilles injury, Cousins instantly makes the Falcons relevant in the NFC. Better yet, he gives Atlanta one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC.
Things are set up well for Cousins to explode right out of the gate. The offense will be led by Zac Robinson, a prominent Rams coaching staff member. He'll run an offense similar to the one Cousins had in Minnesota, with a lot of play-action and throws over the middle of the field.
Cousins will play behind one of the league’s best offensive lines, and he has playmakers all over the field. The selection of Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 is still puzzling, but that should have no impact on the Falcons immediately.
The Falcons landed the top player in free agency and are instantly a threat in the NFC. Atlanta should be in the playoffs this season for the first time in a while, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the team make a deep run. Cousins adds credibility to the Falcons, which they couldn't find in the past few seasons.
When discussing the Falcons, everyone likes to speak on who isn't on the roster, rather than focusing on who is. Atlanta has completely overhauled their offensive attack from an attack predicated on overpowering their opponents to one with a more modern approach, where speed is used to stretch the defense both vertically and horizontally.
Atlanta is still the odds-on favorite (-105) to win the NFC South, according to DraftKings. That's after missing the playoffs for six-straight seasons, the longest drought since their eight-year drought from 1983-1990.
With the off-season they had, Atlanta is well on their way to ending that streak.
