The team most closely tied to a veteran QB upgrade going into free agency, the Falcons appear readier to come out of this offseason with a more experienced passer than Justin Fields.
Although a recent odds update placed the Falcons atop the list for Fields, some around the league believe the Rams-influenced scheme OC Zac Robinson will implement in Atlanta will lead the team toward pass-first options like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield. If the Vikings or Buccaneers cannot keep their starters off the market, the Falcons appear poised to make a run.
Connected already to being interested in both passers, the Falcons indeed have done work on the veterans. The Vikings are “loosely bracing” for Cousins to remain unsigned by the March 11 legal tampering period and test the market, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates. This would open the door for the Falcons to talk to the free agent-to-be, with Fowler adding the team has done plenty of work on Cousins, Fields and Mayfield.
Mayfield has some ties to the new Falcons staff, with Robinson being his position coach during his brief Rams stint and Raheem Morris in place as Los Angeles’ DC at that point. The team has some degree of interest here. Fields is a Georgia native, and while the Falcons passed on the Ohio State product in 2021, some buzz has pointed the Bears QB to his home-state team. As it stands, the Falcons appear in good position to come away with one of these QBs this offseason, per Fowler.
Cousins may be the team’s top target. A Saturday report indicated the Falcons would compete for Cousins, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano takes it a step further by adding the team should be expected to make a strong pursuit of the six-year Vikings starter if he is unsigned by the tampering period. The Vikings and Cousins are still talking, but no Minnesota offer has satisfied the 35-year-old QB yet. The Vikings and Cousins have come to terms on three contracts — in 2018, 2020 and 2022 — but could not agree on a fourth deal last year. Guarantees stood as the sticking point there, and the Vikings are in crunch time with the rehabbing passer now.
Minnesota failing to reach an agreement with Cousins by the start of the 2024 league year (March 13) would bring $28.5MM in dead money onto its 2024 cap. Void years added as part of last year’s restructure will lead to that outcome. The Vikings ate some void years-driven dead money for losing Dalvin Tomlinson last year, but the Cousins figure would obviously bring more trouble by comparison.
Fields may well be taking a backseat to Cousins for Atlanta, per Graziano. This would be a pricier proposition for the Falcons, as Cousins — he of $231MM-plus in career earnings — is quite adept at maximizing his value. Fields also can be kept on a rookie salary this season, as his fifth-year option number — a decision due in May — would affect 2025. But Cousins has certainly been the more dependable passer. Though, if alternate invites are excluded, the ex-Washington draftee has one career Pro Bowl nod. Fields is 11 years younger, at 24, but has not shown himself to be a stable option as a passer just yet.
The Falcons are eager to upgrade on Desmond Ridder, and two years after widely believed to have finished second for Deshaun Watson, the team appears prepared to spend to acquire such help. One of the above-referenced trio should probably be expected to become Atlanta’s starter next season. Which one will end up in Georgia?
Cousins will cost only money while Fields will cost only draft picks. Just depends on what Atlanta holds as more important. And who they think will
Be a on the field more and perform better
Also of consideration is that Cousins can actually throw and lead, while Fields can’t ( just another one of those multi threat QB’s coming out of college who bring athleticism more than QB skills)…….would guess that if the Falcons can sign Cousins, they will…..no contest over Fields……
It’s more a matter of type of QB, and as Shanahan disciples, we know how Cousins is seen with that group from Kyle himself on down. It’s also undeniable that under KOC the last two years in what would be a similar scheme in Atlanta, Cousins has taken his game to another level. If they can replicate that with the Falcons, they would be in the mix in the conference.
It’s not just Cousins over Fields. Cousins is going to cost a TON and will want a bunch guaranteed. The only reason he’d leave Minnesota is that his demands are crazy high. And that would be what potential suitors would have to deal with. If the Vikings pass, they have a bunch of dead cap money to eat and that’s what other teams will have to deal with down the line on that kind of deal.
Someone is going to have to pay Fields $45-55m in 2 years. He’s a backup, so why trade for him and pay a premium price?
se
That is never going to happen. Fields is very unlikely to be a starter after 2025, and more likely than not after 2024!!
So if he’s not going to be a starter, and I agree, why trade for him? That’s my point.
I do agree with you that that complicates what they get for him, but I doubt anyone is eying paying him current starter market value. Look for whoever trades for him to do a Jordan Love type deal from this past year with him.
Kirk Cousins to the top of the list for the third time in four days. Zzzzzzz
Has Cousins done anything to prove he will be ready by opening day? His age and Achilles are a big factor when choosing a new QB. If I were Atlanta I’d try to get Mayfield first.
He’s already throwing and considering he’s always been pretty immobile I think it’s likely he’ll be ready week 1. Whether he’s ready for camp so he can build a connection with his new teammates is the real question and is kind of the reason I think he’ll stick with the Vikes.
One thing we know, Kirk loves his money. Vikings want him on a hometown discount, and this is his last bite at the apple. Atlanta is also a much better roster.
“Last bite at the apple”
Did Kirk say he was done after this next contract?
Kirk is 35 right now. If he is healthy I could see Kirk playing at least 4 more seasons. 2 years on this contract and most likely 2 years on his next. Vikings need to resign him, but ATL NEEDS to sign him.
Brady is the only outlier at that age. Cousins and Rodgers just tore their Achilles in their mid to late 30s. This is his last bite at the apple.
Kirk isn’t done in 2 years, that’s hilarious. Aaron has always benefitted from his ability to scramble so yes his game is going to be affected by his injury. Kirk is a pocket passer who never leaves the pocket and doesn’t need to scramble. Kirk should be just fine, I think he plays 4 more seasons and retires at 39.
Anyhow, no point in trying to argue about another mans retirement age. I wish Kirk well over these next 4 seasons. And realfootballfan maybe you should go enjoy an apple, and please savor that last bite.
We can draft a late round QB to compete in camp and hold down the fort until Kirk debuts. Theoretically
No GM is going with that scenario. If the late-rounder is successful, he’d look like an idiot for spending big on Cousins, creating a QB controversy/ potential lose-lose situation.
I didn’t see any up-roar in San Francisco during the Superbowl this year with this exact scenario lol….you find a QB however you can, even he finds you. No one calling a GM an idiot for being successful even if it’s dumb luck.
Not an idiot. It’s dumb luck. Nfl mirrors life. You can find an amazing deal in the unlikeliest of places. It’s a good strategy. Falcons are super mediocre and our fanbase has been attending less and less games through the years. We got to make a change and have solid contingency plans
I’m naming by Fantasy Football team this year the ATL Re-Treads with a Tire as my avatar lol
Can’t wait to see the reaction when Cousins throws a 2-yard-out on 4th-and-8 with the Falcons’ season on the line.
First, Atlanta has to upgrade its defense so it doesn’t allow opponents to score a touchdown from victory formation.
You mean the very last play of the season when Jameis Winston changed the play at the line so he could score a TD for his own amusement, which he admitted to? That one? ATL defense was their strength, they were ranked top 10-ish until that 48pt blow out last game of the year..
Your comments might be more credible if you don’t cherry pick the negative plays you’ve been spoon fed from highlights to define a team or a player.
That TD from victory formation occurred in a Week 18 game that was win-and-need-help for both sides. Arthur Smith was jawing at Dennis Allen “why’ja run it up?” as they were walking off the field at the gun. Saints had karma come to them 3.5 hours later when Green Bay won and knocked New Orleans out.
As always, Dumb Sportsball Fans are fixated on draft choices and “it’s all about the QB”. How about making the playoffs for once.
I like how you glossed over what I actually said and didn’t respond to the point. As always a typical liberal response from you, you just move on to the next argument when proven wrong. Surprised you didn’t say ‘usual White Male media’ like you usually say smh
Facts without context are worthless.
So you spend a current-year 5th-round pick; a next-year’s 1st-round pick; and a next year’s 4th-round pick to move up 9 spots in the draft and all you got for it was three years of questionable, future-not-so-clear play and maybe a then- current year 2nd round or 3rd round pick in return?
Doesn’t seem like a good deal to me.
I’m very skeptical that anyone on the Falcons wish list will end up in Atlanta. They might as well be scouting the Braves roster for a good arm.
I only like the cousins option if we get Daniels as well to groom. Or maybe Felix or jj in 2nd round
Cousins’ agent loves all this talk, but there is no chance Cousins leaves Minnesota as long as they make a reasonable offer. Mayfield is likely Atlanta’s real target, as he’s a known quantity and can probably be had for a mid-tier salary number.
I don’t think they’re interested in Fields at all. Every one of those Shanahan guided scheme teams passed on him including the 49ers, and Morris failed with a similar type of player in Josh Freeman with the Bucs. Any team that gets him needs to embrace what he is and implement Cam Newton’s early year game plan under Shula and Chudzinsky around his strengths and weaknesses.
Mayfield goes to Atlanta.