Kirk Cousins has been a Michigan State Football legend for years. From leading the Spartans to their first Big Ten title during a 20-year drought in 2010 to scoring Mark Dantonio his first bowl win in the 2012 Outback Bowl.
Cousins is a Spartan Dawg for Life. Even though his 13-plus year NFL career, is starting to seem like it could be nearing its end, he has always represented the green and white all the way.
Who can forget Kirk being drafted by Washington in the same draft they had already taken Robert Griffin III? Despite all the controversy of that move, Cousins eventually outlasted and proved he was the better quarterback in the long run.
Cousins has had a terrific career in the NFL, despite never reaching further than the divisional round of the playoffs. He made plenty of money along the way, from his time in Washington, to his heavily lucrative deal when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.
Sure, a major Achilles injury during the 2023 season was a crusher, but he didn't let that stop him. He departed Minnesota after that season, heading to Atlanta.
Despite signing a massive deal in 2024 with the Falcons, the team selected Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft. Cousins started the first 14 games last season but eventually was designated to the bench after going 7-7.
Now, heading into the 2025 season, Cousins certainly has some decisions to make. He's not going to hang it up, he's too much of a competitor for that, but is it really worth staying in Atlanta at this point?
The four-time Pro Bowler didn't report to the Falcons OTAs. That further begs the question, what's next for Captain Kirk? If he continues to sit out, could Atlanta look to move on? Most have Penix as the projected starter, and knowing Cousins, he isn't about being the backup. Not when he's been a starting quarterback for 11 of his 13 NFL seasons.
It's never a fun situation when you lose your starting job. Sure, he threw 16 picks last season, but Cousins is still a reliable quarterback.
I, for one, hope he gets a shot to continue to add to his 42,979 yards and 288 career passing touchdowns. It likely won't be as a Falcon, but he'll compete no matter where it is.