Would Kirk Cousins have joined the Atlanta Falcons had he not suffered an unfortunate Achilles injury? Let’s analyze the various factors to determine whether the signing would have occurred if he had maintained his impressive performance as the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback.
Kirk Cousins departed from the Minnesota Vikings during the offseason and secured a significant four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. However, this deal might seem exaggerated considering his status as a rehabilitating QB.
During last year’s Week 8 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Cousins experienced a setback when his Achilles tendon gave out, abruptly ending his season and ultimately his tenure with the Vikings.
At the time of his injury, Cousins was delivering outstanding performances in the NFL. In just eight games, he completed nearly 70% of his passes, accumulating 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions, placing him prominently in MVP discussions.
These statistics serve as the primary consideration in assessing whether Cousins would have ended up in Atlanta. Prior to his injury, Cousins had expressed frustration with the Vikings’ reluctance to commit to him beyond a few years, which led to his contract expiring.
Had Cousins maintained his exceptional form and remained healthy for the remainder of the season, it is likely that the Vikings would have been compelled to extend his contract or at least negotiate on his terms.
The injury provided the Vikings with an opportunity to contemplate their future without their veteran quarterback. There’s a psychological aspect to this situation—the longer something remains out of sight, the easier it becomes to move on from it.
While the Achilles injury wasn’t the sole reason the Vikings chose not to match the Falcons’ offer to Cousins, it raises questions about how they could justify allowing him to join another NFC team if he had continued to deliver MVP-caliber performances.
The Packers retained Aaron Rodgers for an extended period due to his exceptional performance—a similar principle applies here.
It’s doubtful that the Falcons would have pursued Cousins if he had concluded the season without injury. Additionally, one might speculate on the potential increase in the value of his contract under such circumstances.
