Kirk Cousins’ Falcons debut takes a rough turn against Steelers…
Minnesota Vikings fans who still feel some satisfaction from Kirk Cousins’ move to the Atlanta Falcons got what they were hoping for when Cousins threw an interception during his debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
With just over four minutes left in the first quarter, Cousins faced a 2nd-and-1 situation from Atlanta’s 40-yard line. Under pressure, he attempted a pass to Falcons wide receiver Drake London for a first down, but Pittsburgh’s DeShon Elliott intercepted it, handing possession back to the Steelers.
Former Vikings quarterback Cousins kicked off his Falcons career with an interception. Cousins had left Minnesota after signing a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed last spring.
Although Cousins, 36, sees himself as the Falcons’ long-term solution at quarterback despite recovering from an Achilles tear, Atlanta surprised many by drafting University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in last April’s NFL Draft.
Cousins’ job doesn’t appear to be in immediate jeopardy after just one game, but as Vikings fans know, poor performances can build pressure, making it crucial for him to rebound.
While it’s too early to tell if this is part of a larger issue, it’s clear that facing the strong Steelers defense wasn’t the ideal start Falcons fans were hoping for from their new quarterback.