When the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins this offseason, most analysts projected they’d become a Super Bowl contender. Those predictions have fallen flat. The Falcons barely escaped against the Las Vegas Raiders (3-11) on Monday Night Football in Week 15. This narrow victory was the fifth straight game in which Cousins played poorly. Now, he has been benched and Skip Bayless had seen it coming way back.
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Atlanta is starting first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. as their quarterback next week against the New York Giants, revealed FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Nobody, except Bayless, anticipated that Cousins would flop with the Falcons so badly.
During this offseason, Skip had said that he could not understand the NFL’s affinity for Cousins, calling him “way overrated”.
“Kirk Cousins is way overrated at a position in the league that remains understocked.”
— @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/STyP1IKiDR
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) February 16, 2024
Cousins may not rival Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson, but he has been a solid quarterback for a long time. And Bayless has been there, putting him under scrutiny at every step.
Bayless has never been fond of Cousins
Cousins has the sixth-most career earnings in NFL history. He signed the league’s first-ever fully guaranteed contract when he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. Later that year, Bayless let his feelings on Cousins be known.
I’ll say what I said the day he was signed for a guaranteed $84 million: Kirk Cousins is the most overpaid player in NFL history.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 11, 2018
Earlier this season, when Cousins struggled in his first game back from a torn Achilles, Bayless didn’t relent.
Kirk Cousins, most overpaid QB ever.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 8, 2024
There’s no denying Cousins has been a good NFL quarterback for much of his career. He has completed 66.9% of his NFL pass attempts, thrown nearly 300 touchdown passes and appeared in four Pro Bowls. However, he has been paid like a Hall of Famer despite making the playoffs only three times. His playoff record (1-3) also leaves a lot to be desired.
.@RealSkipBayless weighs in on the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins to a 4-yr/$180M deal:
“They’re desperate for a QB. You got to do something.” pic.twitter.com/6Jhx7qYrdj
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) March 12, 2024
Bayless’ issues with Cousins aren’t primarily focused on the 13-year veteran as a person. Instead, they’re pinpointed on his insane paydays. And that argument has merit. Cousins hasn’t carried his teams deep in the postseason, but has earned money like he’s won them championships.
Bayless’ comments may not be appreciated by most, but he appears to have been right on the money on this one.
