Kirk Cousins may no longer be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, but he remains significant enough to earn a spot in the conversation surrounding the top college trios currently in the NFL. His presence on the list highlights the connection between collegiate success and professional achievement, with Michigan State ranking No. 10 in NFL.com’s compilation of these powerful combinations.
According to Gennaro Filice, who assessed college affiliations to develop the list, Cousins is joined by Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III and Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed. This trio reflects the talent coming out of Michigan State, although Filice notes that if the list had been created a year ago, it would have positioned Cousins much higher.
Just one season prior, Cousins was enjoying a respectable tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, having signed a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract and making the Pro Bowl in three of the previous five seasons. However, a challenging start to his tenure with the Falcons, marked by struggles stemming from a surgically repaired Achilles, led to him losing his starting role to rookie Michael Penix Jr.
While Filice pointed out that “Father Time does indeed remain undefeated,” he remains optimistic about the potential for Cousins to regain some form. The offseason did not yield trade opportunities, but with training camp and preseason approaching, there remains a chance for Cousins to showcase his health and skill, potentially enticing another team in need of a quarterback before the trade deadline in November.
Despite being positioned as a backup at the moment, the narrative remains that there’s still hope for Cousins to prove himself and redefine his future in the NFL, illustrating that opportunities can emerge from challenging circumstances. As the season progresses, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can turn the tide on his current trajectory.