Kirk Cousins fantasy football profile, news and stats

SEASON	GP	FPTS	RANK	PAATT	PACMP	PAYD	PATD	PAINT	COMP%	RUATT	RUYD	RUTD
2023	16	341	11th	607	398	4393	30	13	65.6	33	99	1
2022	17	292	8th	643	424	4,547	29	14	65.9	31	97	2
3yr Ave	16	290	9th	507	343	4030	31	9	68%	31	111	1

Tabbed for backup role in 2025

Published: 2025-01-09

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Thursday that Cousins will head into the 2025 season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Michael Penix, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports. "Kirk is a great man and he's been great support for Mike, a great teammate, great support for everybody in the building, so we're very confident moving forward with him as the backup," Fontenot said.

Shortly after the Falcons benched Cousins in favor of Penix in Week 16, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the expectation in league circles was that Atlanta would cut Cousins before March 17, when the 36-year-old quarterback is due a $10 million roster bonus. Fontenot pushed back on that report during his press conference Thursday, noting that Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal last March with the expectation that they would "get high-level quarterback play for two seasons." That didn't come to fruition, as Cousins completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns while committing 18 turnovers (16 interceptions, two lost fumbles) in 14 starts before Atlanta turned the offense over to the rookie Penix. While Fontenot acknowledged that Cousins didn't perform as well as anticipated, the GM reiterated that the Falcons are comfortable with him as a backup heading into the upcoming season, though that won't preclude the organization from trading him if the right deal emerges. Atlanta would almost certainly have to absorb some of the $27.5 million on Cousins' base salary for 2025 to facilitate any trade.

Fantasy Points by Week 2022

19.1

8.8

18.3

12.9

22.2

16.5

23.5

16.4

15.5

2.2

21.9

11.8

25

32.4

24.2

7.9

13

Weekly Stats 2022

		Fantasy Points		Betting		Passing Stats							Rushing Stats			Advanced Passing Stats				Targets
WEEK	STADIUM	GAME	RANK	SPREAD	O/U	ATT	CMP	YD	TD	INT	COMP%	RATING	ATT	YD	TD	AIR	CATCH	20YD+	PLAY	WR	RB	TE
1 GB	Dome 72°	19.1	11th	-2.0	47.5	32	23	277	2	0	71.9	118.9	0	0	0	5	72%	100%	39%	59%	19%	19%
2 @PHI	Outdoor 79°	8.8	26th	3.0	49.5	46	27	221	1	3	58.7	51.1	2	20	0	4	67%	0%	14%	50%	24%	24%
3 DET	Dome 64°	18.3	9th	-6.5	52.5	41	24	260	2	0	58.5	93.5	1	-1	0	6	61%	25%	40%	56%	10%	24%
4 @NO	Outdoor 64°	12.9	22nd	-4.0	44.5	38	25	273	1	1	65.8	84.6	0	0	0	6	76%	100%	37%	66%	11%	13%
5 CHI	Dome 57°	22.2	6th	-8.5	43.5	41	32	296	1	1	78.0	94.7	4	4	1	5	81%	100%	37%	63%	12%	17%
6 @MIA	Outdoor 85°	16.5	12th	-3.5	45.5	30	20	175	2	0	66.7	104.2	2	-5	0	4	67%	0%	40%	70%	3%	20%
8 ARZ	Dome 53°	23.5	6th	-4.0	47.5	36	24	232	2	0	66.7	103.0	4	22	1	5	67%	40%	26%	56%	17%	14%
9 @WAS	Outdoor 71°	16.4	12th	-3.0	43.5	40	22	265	2	1	55.0	81.8	2	-2	0	9	60%	25%	25%	55%	18%	23%
10 @BUF	Outdoor 38°	15.5	19th	6.5	46.5	50	30	357	1	2	60.0	71.8	6	12	0	8	66%	67%	30%	68%	12%	20%
11 DAL	Dome 29°	2.2	30th	2.5	47.5	23	12	105	0	0	52.2	64.6	0	0	0	6	57%	0%	13%	44%	4%	44%
12 NE	Dome 36°	21.9	9th	-2.5	42.5	37	30	299	3	1	81.1	116.1	1	-1	0	6	84%	100%	41%	62%	14%	22%
13 NYJ	Dome 37°	11.8	25th	-3.0	45.5	35	21	173	1	0	60.0	82.2	3	9	0	6	69%	50%	25%	60%	14%	20%
14 @DET	Dome 40°	25.0	5th	2.5	52.5	41	31	425	2	0	75.6	124.5	0	0	0	9	78%	50%	21%	71%	7%	20%
15 IND	Dome 19°	32.4	4th	-3.5	47.5	54	34	460	4	2	63.0	99.3	2	0	0	5	65%	33%	24%	70%	9%	19%
16 NYG	Dome 2°	24.2	3rd	-4.5	47.5	48	34	299	3	0	70.8	107.9	1	2	0	4	73%	0%	28%	52%	10%	35%
17 @GB	Outdoor 39°	7.9	24th	3.5	47.5	31	18	205	1	3	58.1	49.2	3	37	0	7	65%	25%	22%	48%	13%	39%
18 @CHI	Outdoor 32°	13.0	16th	-6.5	44.5	20	17	225	1	0	85.0	130.2	0	0	0	7	85%	75%	30%	60%	25%	10%

Performance Splits: 2020 to 2022

				Fantasy Points		Passing Averages								Rushing Averages
LOCATION	STADIUM	GP	GS	GM	RANK	YD	TD	INT	COMP%	RATING	AIR	CATCH	20YD+	YD	TD
Home	Dome	25	25	19.6	1st	271	2.2	0.7	67.2	103.0	71%	43%	7	8	0.1
Away	Outdoor	17	17	15.6	19th	246	1.6	0.8	64.9	91.1	69%	42%	6	8	0.1
Away	Dome	4	4	25.8	5th	365	2.5	0	71.6	119.9	74%	40%	7	2	0.3
Away	Retractable Dome	3	3	12.9	37th	206	1.3	1	61.3	86.3	66%	31%	8	13	0.0

Career Stats by Season: 2012 to 2022

					Fantasy Points		Passing Stats							Rushing Stats			Advanced Passing Stats				Targets
SEASON	AGE	TEAM	GP	GS	TOTAL	RANK	ATT	CMP	YD	TD	INT	CMP%	RATING	ATT	YD	TD	AIR	CATCH	20YD+	PLAY	WR	RB	TE
2012	24	undefined	3	1	33	38th	48	33	466	4	3	68.8	101.6	3	22	0	8.3	73%	38%	-	71%	17%	13%
2013	25	undefined	5	3	34	44th	155	81	854	4	7	52.3	58.4	4	14	0	6.6	59%	31%	-	68%	11%	19%
2014	26	undefined	6	5	88	35th	204	126	1,710	10	9	61.8	86.4	7	20	0	6.4	70%	42%	-	60%	15%	25%
2015	27	undefined	16	16	293	8th	543	379	4,166	29	11	69.8	101.6	26	48	5	6	75%	37%	-	57%	18%	25%
2016	28	undefined	16	16	300	5th	606	406	4,917	25	12	67.0	97.2	34	96	4	7.3	71%	48%	-	58%	15%	25%
2017	29	undefined	16	16	278	6th	540	347	4,093	27	13	64.3	93.9	49	179	4	5.6	69%	36%	-	55%	21%	23%
2018	30	MIN	16	16	283	12th	606	425	4,298	30	10	70.1	99.7	44	123	1	5.5	74%	32%	-	66%	16%	16%
2019	31	MIN	15	15	244	15th	444	307	3,603	26	6	69.1	107.4	31	63	1	5.9	73%	38%	26%	45%	27%	23%
2020	32	MIN	16	16	306	11th	516	349	4,265	35	13	67.6	105	32	156	1	6.7	71%	41%	24%	55%	18%	21%
2021	33	MIN	16	16	300	11th	561	372	4,221	33	7	66.3	103.1	29	115	1	6.5	70%	42%	20%	62%	19%	16%
2022	34	MIN	17	17	292	8th	643	424	4,547	29	14	65.9	92.5	31	97	2	6.1	70%	42%	29%	60%	13%	22%

*"Air" yards thrown per completion. Pass was "Catch"able. Percent of passes thrown "20yds+" that were completed. "Play" action pass percent of total pass plays.

Expected to be cut in offseason

Published: 2024-12-21

Cousins is expected to be cut by the Falcons before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Cousins has been demoted to the backup role behind rookie first-round pick Michael Penix ahead of Atlanta's Week 16 game against the Giants. The veteran quarterback lost his starting role after posting a 1:9 TD:INT in his last five starts. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons prior to the 2024 season, but Atlanta appears ready to move forward with Penix while eating the remainder of Cousins' $100 million guarantee.

Will work as backup

Published: 2024-12-18

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Cousins operate as the No. 2 quarterback behind rookie Michael Penix against the Giants on Sunday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Morris announced Tuesday that Cousins would be benched in favor of Penix, and clarity has now arrived confirming the veteran signal-caller's new backup duties. Cousins' long-term future in Atlanta is another matter, as the 36-year-old has lost his grip on the starting gig just 14 games into the four-year, $180 million contract he inked with the Falcons this offseason. Through those 14 appearances, Cousins has completed 303 of 453 pass attempts (67 percent) for 3,508 yards, 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Nine of those interceptions came in Cousins' most recent five games, in which span he threw just one touchdown.

Loses starting QB job

Published: 2024-12-17

Atlanta announced Tuesday that Michael Penix will be the team's starting quarterback moving forward, displacing Cousins in the role.

Cousins struggled over the Falcons' past five games, posting a 1:9 TD:INT while the team went 1-4. Though the squad snapped a four-game losing streak Monday against the Raiders, Cousins didn't do well, completing 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Head coach Raheem Morris was non-committal about the veteran quarterback continuing to start under center for the squad earlier Tuesday, and the Falcons later made the announcement that Penix will be taking over as the team's starting signal-caller. Per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site, Morris said in a prepared statement, "This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants." It's unclear what Cousins' future in Atlanta will be after signing a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason.

Not yet confirmed for Week 16 start

Published: 2024-12-17

Head coach Raheem Morris was non-committal Tuesday when asked if Cousins will remain the Falcons' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Giants, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. "We just got back [from Las Vegas]. We still have to go through that process," Morris said. "All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn't play well enough at the quarterback position."

Though the Falcons snapped their four-game losing streak Monday with a 15-9 win over the Raiders, Cousins' play didn't inspire much confidence in the prospects of the Atlanta offense moving forward. After Cousins had turned in a disastrous 0:8 TD:INT during the previous four games, the Falcons leaned heavily on the ground attack in Week 16, attempting 37 runs on the night. Cousins was unable to do much with his 20 dropbacks, taking three sacks and completing 11 of 17 pass attempts for 112 yards, one touchdown and NFL-leading 16th interception of the season. Though a soft home matchup against the 2-12 Giants awaits in Week 16, the 7-7 Falcons may view the game as a good opportunity to see if rookie first-round pick Michael Penix can provide an upgrade over the struggling Cousins as Atlanta looks to stay in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Expect Morris to provide an update on the Falcons' plans at quarterback Wednesday, when the team resumes practicing.

Pedestrian numbers in win

Published: 2024-12-16

Cousins completed 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception and netted no gain on three rush attempts in the Falcons' 15-9 win over the Raiders on Monday night. He also committed a fumble but recovered.

Cousins' numbers were hardly of the redemptive variety after a four-game stretch that may have had his starting job in danger, but the veteran signal-caller at least snapped his four-game touchdown drought with a 30-yard first-quarter scoring strike to Drake London. Cousins ultimately wasn't tasked with doing much more against an inept Raiders offense helmed by Desmond Ridder, leading to his lowest passing yardage total of the campaign. Cousins may enjoy a similar game script in a Week 16 home matchup against the lowly Giants, who should also pose very little threat as well.

Falcons not considering QB change

Published: 2024-12-09

Head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that Cousins remains Atlanta's starting quarterback heading into a road matchup against the Raiders on Dec. 16, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Morris said Cousins "is the guy who is going to lead us" heading into a primetime matchup against Las Vegas next Monday night, reaffirming the notion that Atlanta still isn't considering allowing rookie first-round pick Michael Penix even a spot start. Still, the Falcons have now lost four consecutive games, a span in which Cousins has thrown eight interceptions without a single touchdown. During Minnesota's 42-21 loss to the Vikings on Sunday, Cousins completed just 23 of his 37 pass attempts for 344 yards, no touchdowns and two INTs. If Atlanta's passing game were to struggle notably against the Raiders in prime time, Morris' current level of commitment to Cousins could shift.

Comes up short in Minnesota return

Published: 2024-12-08

Cousins completed 23 of 37 passes for 344 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the Falcons' 42-21 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Making his return to Minnesota, Cousins' afternoon started off in fine fashion when he helmed an 11-play 70-yard drive that culminated in a Tyler Allgeier six-yard touchdown run on the game's opening possession. However, the Vikings' aggressive defense would progressively begin figuring out their former teammate, allowing just three additional points during the rest of the first half with the help of one of two interceptions off Cousins during the afternoon. Cousins would falter again with just under six and a half minutes remaining, overshooting Kyle Pitts on a red-zone throw for a second pick that essentially snuffed out any hopes of an Atlanta comeback. Cousins did compile enough completions after the game was out of reach to eclipse the 300-yard mark for his third time as a Falcon, but he'll head into a Week 15 road matchup against the Raiders with an 0:8 TD:INT in his last four games. Despite the abysmal stretch of play, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that head coach Raheem Morris confirmed after the game that "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback" when asked about the possibility of affording rookie signal-caller Michael Penix a spot start.

No QB change imminent

Published: 2024-12-08

Falcons coach Raheem Morris was emphatic when speaking with Fox NFL Sunday's Jay Glazer that no quarterback change was imminent between Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.

Morris reiterated that Cousins's Achilles is not the cause of his recent struggles, in which he's thrown zero touchdowns and six interceptions over his last three games. He did say that Cousins was sore all over, but that they worked on his maintenance over the week of practice. Meanwhile, Fox colleague reported that Penix Jr. didn't take any first-team reps in practice this week, buttressing Glazer's report.

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