Is Kirk Cousins playing today vs Vikings? Exploring Falcons QB's status for Week 14

A lot was expected of the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. After firing former coach Arthur Smith, who failed to utilize the likes of Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts to the fullest, they turned to Raheem Morris, who was expected to lead them beyond a seven-win season. The Falcons are all but guaranteed to do that, but a 6-6 record does not exactly inspire confidence in the Kirk Cousins era.

After he threw four interceptions against the LA Chargers despite throwing for 245 yards, questions were raised over whether Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the franchise with $100 million guaranteed, was the right man to lead the team into the playoffs. As things stand, coach Morris has not indicated he plans to bench the team's marquee free-agent signing.

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos - Source: Imagn

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Is Kirk Cousins playing today vs. Vikings?

There were more than a few calls for the Falcons to go ahead and bench Kirk Cousins, especially since they had drafted Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington in the first round. Given he was one of the six quarterbacks taken in Round 1 (tying an NFL record), much was expected of the franchise even if eyebrows were raised over Cousins' future at the time.

However, Raheem Morris made it clear that Cousins would continue to be the starter. That sentiment didn't sit well with longtime Falcons QB Matt Ryan. In an interview with CBS Sports, Ryan said:

"If it goes bad and it's not the kind of first half that you want — I know Raheem has said that he's not going to make a change at this point. I think they'd be apt to make an in-game change."

While Ryan advocated for Cousins to continue in the role, ESPN's Mina Kimes took a different tone:

"Watching Kirk, I felt like his physical limitations are holding this offense back. It just doesn’t look right. They drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall. I criticized the decision and I will criticize it even more if they don’t give Penix a shot this season if this continues."

The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET and be broadcast on Fox.