Falcons' Kirk Cousins is playing for another chance to start - ESPN

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kirk Cousins spent more than four minutes during his news conference Wednesday giving a near dissertation about the intricacies of playing quarterback in the NFL, from receiver progressions to how reading a defense before the snap has changed in recent years.

It was a reminder that Cousins has been a fixture at the position for a long time at the highest level — 14 seasons, to be exact — and can break down strategy and theory as well as anyone.

The past four games on the field have also been a reminder that Cousins still has something left in the tank.

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Cousins led the Atlanta Falcons to a come-from-behind, 29-28 win over rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road in Week 15. The veteran was 30-of-44 for 373 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Falcons (5-9) have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and are en route to an eighth straight losing season. There is not much to play for.

But Cousins still has plenty of reasons to put good things on tape since he took over for Michael Penix Jr. (torn left ACL) full-time in Week 12. Atlanta is unlikely to bring him back, but he would still like to be a starting quarterback in the NFL next season.

This might not be a Cousins redemption tour, but it's not far off considering many wrote him off after 2024. The Falcons travel to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

«Quite frankly, I never thought he wasn't a valuable starting quarterback,» Falcons coach Raheem Morris said.

When we last saw Cousins as starter, it was not