The Falcons came into the offseason with a clear need to upgrade the quarterback position. Arthur Blank, Terry Fontenot, and Raheem Morris had all acknowledged as much.
Blank admitted that every head coaching candidate said the position needed to be fixed. After being hired, Morris went as far as to say that had the Falcons gotten better quarterback play he wouldn’t be in Atlanta.
It was clear to everyone in Flowery Branch, Falcons fans, and the NFL as a whole that Fontenot and Morris would be in the market for a quarterback. It just wasn’t yet clear at that point what direction would they go.
The draft offered some interesting prospects, but Fontenot quickly turned his attention away once it became clear that the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots weren’t going to move off their picks.
The Falcons top target? Kirk Cousins. With the backing of Blank, Fontenot went further in every sense of the contract than the Vikings were able or willing to go. Atlanta topped Minnesota’s offer in average annual value, years, and guarantees.
The Falcons showed how much they wanted Kirk Cousins. They had a hole and filled it with the best possible option. Now, the wins must match the dollars. When asked about the signing, Blank affirmed all of this.
Arthur Blank on Cousins signing: "We think very highly of Kirk, which is evidenced by the contract. We needed significantly better play at that position, and I think Kirk will give us that opportunity. He’s had a lot of great years in the NFL and is playing really well of late."
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) March 25, 2024
When the Falcons hired Raheem Morris, expectations for Atlanta’s new head coach were unclear. Yes, Arthur Smith had underdelivered, but there was no reason to expect Morris to improve upon his predecessor’s results with a rookie or inexperienced quarterback.
However, that conversation has changed entirely with Kirk Cousins in the fold. The veteran has raised expectations for his head coach. The expectation is no longer just winning the division and returning to the playoffs. No, postseason success is now the expectation.
The Falcons signaled to the rest of the league that they’re in win-now mode with Kirk Cousins.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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