If there’s one thing that Kirk Cousins has done this offseason, it’s grab headlines. Whether that involved his reaction to being benched or the myriad trade pitches, the top story of the Falcons offseason remained the quarterback position.
On Monday, The Athletic released their 2025 quarterback tier list, which was voted on by 50 coaches and executives. Cousins earned the lowest ranking and lowest average vote of his career, finishing at No. 25 overall in Tier 3.
The main factors behind his precipitous drop in the rankings were his “striking” immobility and falling arm strength. Despite those concerns, one offensive coach said that Cousins “should be a 2 if healthy.”
Unfortunately, the questions surrounding Kirk Cousins‘ health remain. There were several moments last season where he very much looked like a 36-year-old quarterback toward the end of his career. But, as one former general manager asked, “Is that the injury, or is that him declining?”
Kirk Cousins Stuck Between Tiers, Depending on His Health
Following a rocky 2024 season, in which he was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr., Kirk Cousins enters the season as a backup quarterback for the first time since 2014. The fact that he’s a backup quarterback would usually disqualify him from the quarterback tier list. But, Sando explained that he included Cousins “in case he lands elsewhere.”
One offensive coach said he looks at Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins similarly, given that both are veterans coming off of Achilles injuries. That coach even went as far as to say that Cousins would be in store for a “bounce-back year” if he were starting.
“Both will be healthier, and if that’s the case, we will see the arm talent more,” the executive said.
But, even if Kirk Cousins is healthier, there’s no guarantee that he would be able to move more effectively in the pocket.
“The things they did to keep him clean in the past, he could not do,” a defensive coordinator said.
One offensive coordinator even posited that a healthy Cousins should land in Tier 2. But, without any guarantee that his Achilles and shoulder will both be healthy, they acknowledged the difficulty of accurately ranking Kirk Cousins in 2025.
“Is he starting to deteriorate so much? He should be a 2 if healthy. I just do not know if that is where he is at right now.”
What’s the Plan for Cousins in 2025?
The Falcons made it clear last season that Michael Penix Jr. is the future at the quarterback position. So, where does that leave Kirk Cousins?
Cousins seems content as one of the most expensive backup quarterbacks in the league. Plus, the Falcons don’t appear to be seriously engaged in any trade talks. After earning just over $100 million for 14 games, Kirk Cousins secured his place in the “Bag Hall of Fame.
Voters suspected Falcons ownership was reluctant to trade Cousins after the team invested so much in him,” Sando wrote.
Barring an emergency, Cousins will likely serve as a garbage time quarterback this year. While his starting days may be over – at least in Atlanta – Kirk Cousins is still capable as a backup.
Sando describes a Tier 3 quarterback as “a legitimate starter but needs a heavier running game and/or defensive component to win.”
The Falcons’ running back room is among the best in the league, thanks to rising star Bijan Robinson. So, it’s safe to say that Cousins’ inclusion fits the definition.
Unfortunately, Kirk Cousins experienced some whiplash on this ranking list. After setting career highs in 2024, he dropped to career lows this year, finishing at the bottom of Tier 3.
“Cousins peaked in QB Tiers last year with 31 Tier 2 votes and a 2.38 average, both career bests,” Sando wrote. “He set career lows in 2025.”
Cousins can play well during garbage time or even make a spot start in place of an injured Penix. That would be best-case scenario for both Cousins and the Falcons.
Last season, they lost six games by single-digits. If Atlanta can turn a few of those around, they could return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
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