The Falcons went into their Week 10 game against the Saints leading the division at 6-3 and looking poised to end the franchise’s six-season playoff drought (now seven). But from that loss to New Orleans, something went terribly wrong for Atlanta, and it was clear that Kirk Cousins wasn’t right.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins opened a can of worms during an interview with NFL Network on Feb. 4.

Cousins says he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 10 against the Saints and never returned to full strength afterward.

There was more to Kirk Cousins' decline and benching by Falcons' head coach Raheem Morris during the 2024 season.

The Atlanta Falcons got off to an impressive 6-3 start in 2024 before a midseason slump cost them a chance at the playoffs. Starting in Week 10, the team lost four straight games and Kirk Cousins ‘ poor play was the biggest reason for the streak.

Near the end of the 2024-25 season, the Atlanta Falcons made the tough decision to move on from Kirk Cousins as their starter in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. But despite this, Cousins remains confident that he has plenty left in the tank.