Even though he's not on the team anymore, Kirk Cousins is still a name that comes with a fair amount of residual trauma for Falcons fans. The Atlanta Falcons signed Cousins back in 2024 to a four-year, $180 million deal that didn't take long to become one of the worst free agent signings in NFL history.
Across two years in Atlanta, Cousins didn't even last a full season as the starter before being replaced by Michael Penix Jr. late in 2024. He threw 21 interceptions in just 22 starts and never led them to the playoffs before being released this offseason, where it was a surprise he got another starting opportunity with the Las Vegas Raiders given he's well into his 30s.
But when we thought Kirko Chainz didn't have much left in the tank, he's turned back the clock. His past relationship with Klint Kubiak is coming in handy, as he's tied with Brock Purdy for the league lead in passing touchdowns and has turned the Raiders into one of the biggest surprises in the NFL.
Not only has Cousins led the Raiders to a 3-1 start, he's been lights out to the point that Las Vegas has no incentive to turn to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza any time soon. Look at this touchdown throw against the Chiefs: I know for a fact he was never moving like this with the Falcons.
KIRK COUSINS MAGIC FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!@KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ADaylXSjLZ
And that begs the question: where was all of this when Kirk Cousins was in Atlanta?
Kirk Cousins' resurgence is confirming Zac Robinson was the problem in Atlanta
While it would be a lie to say the Falcons regret letting the 38-year-old go since they are saving a boatload of money with him in Vegas, it makes a bit more sense when you consider why Cousins failed with the Dirty Birds: Zac Robinson isn't half the offensive innovator that Klint Kubiak is.
With Robinson, Atlanta ran an offense that lived out of the pistol, had no creativity (no pre-snap motion or play-action), and the unit likely have been among the worst in the NFL had it not been for elite talents like Drake London and Bijan Robinson making him look more competent than he actually was. And it was that pistol formation that actively set back Michael Penix Jr.'s development--he even admitted playing under center wasn't that difficult for him.
It's fairly obvious Robinson was the common denominator for Cousins' regression when you look at what Z-Rob has done in his new job as the OC in Tampa Bay. The Bucs are 0-4, have been turning the ball over non-stop, and rank 32nd in the NFL in EPA per play across the first month of the season.
It goes to show you what a good brain trust of coaches can do for a QB. There's a reason Kubiak is considered one of the best in the business while Bucs fans are already calling for Zac's job--and the difference in how they handled the four-time Pro Bowler in a talented offense is all the difference.
Cousins looked good at the end of last season, but he was never slinging it like he has been in 2026. He looks reborn in Vegas with Kubiak, and frankly I don't think it was the injuries in Atlanta affecting him as much as it was bad play-calling--and he's now healthy and thriving in a much better situation.
Kirk Cousins is proving that dad strength does exist, because he's certainly still got it even after leaving the Falcons.
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