“I wish to play, however I believe that ask fell on deaf ears,” Cousins informed reporters on Thursday. “I believe seeing stay bullets and taking part in is useful, however I additionally perceive the logic behind not doing it,” he added.
Often, preserving a 12-year NFL veteran quarterback out of the preseason can be good enterprise. Nevertheless, Cousins’ scenario is way completely different from most others.
Coming off a torn Achilles, is it the wisest choice to maintain Cousins on the sideline and have his first motion since struggling his harm be in Week 1 of the common season? The remainder of the league could have shaken off its rust within the preseason simply as he is getting began.
Sitting Cousins will even give him much less time to forge a reference to Atlanta’s younger offensive skill-position gamers, together with tight finish Kyle Pitts, huge receiver Drake London and operating again Bijan Robinson.
As a substitute of hitting the bottom operating to begin the common season, Atlanta would possibly want the primary few weeks to get everybody on the identical web page.
With its brutal early slate, the Falcons’ reported choice on Cousins may set the staff as much as fail.
Their first 5 video games are in opposition to groups that completed 2023 with a successful file, together with 4 (Steelers, Eagles, Chiefs, Buccaneers) that made the postseason.
Atlanta already undermined Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million assured) in March, by deciding on his eventual substitute, Michael Penix Jr., at No. 8 total within the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 2023 Heisman runner-up will most profit from Cousins’ doubtless preseason absence. And with a powerful displaying by Penix in August, a quarterback controversy may ignite.
When (or if) that occurs, the Falcons will solely have themselves guilty.