The Atlanta Falcons’ aerial attack is going to look quite different in 2024.
Kirk Cousins is the centerpiece after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the NFC South team agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with the quarterback on Monday. He will also have a new wide receiver to throw to, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday the Falcons agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal with Darnell Mooney.
According to Over The Cap, the two players are joining an Atlanta team that has $13 million in team cap space.
Here is where they fit into the team’s depth chart for offensive skill players:
QB: Kirk Cousins, Taylor Heinicke, Desmond RidderRB: Bijan Robinson, Tyler AllgeierWR: Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Chris Blair, Josh Ali, Austin MackTE: Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner
On paper, the Cousins contract is a head-turning one for a quarterback who will be 36 years old and coming off a significant Achilles injury when he takes the field during the 2024 campaign.
However, the Falcons also received inconsistent quarterback play at best last season with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. Had it been even a little better, the 7-10 team might have won the NFC South instead of the 9-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
And as long as Cousins is healthy, he will provide that better quarterback play the franchise is seeking.
The four-time Pro Bowler has seven seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards on his resume and led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-4 record during his last full healthy season in 2022. He was on track to put up excellent numbers again in 2023 when he completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions through eight games prior to the injury.
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Expect major numbers again in a Falcons offense that isn’t hurting for playmakers.
In addition to Mooney, who is just two seasons removed from posting 1,055 receiving yards in 2021 for the Chicago Bears, Atlanta has Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts as offensive options.
Former head coach Arthur Smith was often criticized for failing to get the ball into his playmakers’ hands last season, but the combination of Cousins and new head coach Raheem Morris can change that in 2024.
If it does, anything less than an NFC South crown would be surprising for the new-look Falcons.
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