Analyst Says There’s A ‘Ton Of Risk’ With 1 Recent QB Signing

Last season, Kirk Cousins’ year came to an end prematurely as the Minnesota Vikings quarterback went down with an Achilles injury that kept him sidelined for the final nine games of the 2023 regular season.

With Cousins not getting any younger and Achilles injuries always potentially career-threatening, some were starting to write the veteran quarterback off as a player who would never be the same and could choose to retire as he faced NFL free agency.

Despite being 35 and coming off an Achilles injury, Cousins was one of the most sought-after quarterbacks on the open market this NFL offseason, as he had no shortage of suitors and was going to land another starting job somewhere, if not back with the Vikings.

Ultimately, the Atlanta Falcons decided to make the bold move of signing Cousins to a four-year deal that will end when he’s 39.

Obviously, as podcaster John Middlekauff points out via The Volume, that’s quite a risk to take for a franchise.

“When you sign a guy and you give him a ton of money, and he’s coming off a major injury, I’m sorry, there is a ton of risk,” Middlekauff said.

“When you sign a guy and you give him a ton of money, and he’s coming off a major injury, I’m sorry, there is a ton of risk”

—@JohnMiddlekauff reacts to the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins pic.twitter.com/54aIP3ocd4

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 12, 2024

Ironically enough, the Falcons had other options this offseason to upgrade the quarterback position, which was the team’s top priority after hiring Raheem Morris as head coach.

Justin Fields was available via trade with the Chicago Bears, while the team could’ve also gone with other veteran options like Jimmy Garoppolo (when he’s released by the Las Vegas Raiders) or Gardner Minshew (who the Raiders signed).

Regardless of the risk, Atlanta is content with Cousins moving forward despite the considerable risk.

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