Atlanta’s new head coach believes acquiring Kirk Cousins in free agency was the best possible outcome for filling his team’s QB need.

The Atlanta Falcons have enjoyed a stellar offseason, one that should breathe life into their previously one-dimensional offense. In that respect, new head coach Raheem Morris doesn’t believe it could have gone any better.

When speaking with NFL Network’s Steve Wyche about his team’s pursuit of quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, Morris expressed confidence that Cousins was the perfect fit on their youth-laden roster. He expects the 35-year-old’s leadership to permeate through the locker room and help push the Falcons to new heights.

Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson… [it] really fired me up to get those guys in there to be around him. He’s a leader of men. I couldn’t think of a better scenario for the Atlanta Falcons and Raheem Morris, to be honest.

Atlanta went 7-10 all three years of Arthur Smith’s tenure, failing to capitalize and make a single playoff appearance in the woebegone NFC South. No team in the division has won 10 games since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did so in 2021. The Falcons haven’t secured double-digit victories, or even finished above .500, for six consecutive seasons.

Morris Considers Cousins A ‘Young Man’

“He’s still got great energy.”

Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 campaign will be Cousins’ 13th in the NFL, with the other dozen equally split between the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. Across the board in Atlanta, his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 position talent is considerably younger than he is. Darnell Mooney is the lone member of the Falcons’ projected starting s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 players less than a decade younger than Cousins.

The entire group oozes untapped potential, meaning Cousins will need to elevate them for Atlanta to meet new expectations. Morris welcomes the opportunity with open arms, and knows they can rise to the occasion because of those foundational weapons.

I couldn’t be more excited to get a young man like Kirk… he’s still a young man, he’s still got great energy… [his addition] comes along with a lot of pressure, particularly on [him] and myself. But it’s only pressure if you don’t have the pieces around him.

The Falcons will get even younger once they embark on the 2024 NFL Draft next Thursday, putting an even larger leadership role on Cousins’ shoulders. GIVEMESPORT currently has Atlanta trading back and landing a top-flight edge rusher in the first round before adding another talented receiving option with their second-round selection.

Source: Steve Wyche

All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference unless stated otherwise.