Kirk Cousins has had a rollercoaster tenure with the Atlanta Falcons since landing in Georgia last spring. The veteran quarterback watched the team’s Week 18, 44-38 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers from the sidelines.

Locker cleanout day, a somber time for the Minnesota Vikings. The dreams of another potential Super Bowl season were flushed away in

Atlanta's pass rush showed life, but the secondary got burned. The pass blocking held up, but Kyle Pitts had another disappointing season.

The Falcons are supposedly OK with a $180 million backup quarterback. Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot said the franchise is “comfortable” with keeping Kirk Cousins on as the No. 2 behind Michael Penix Jr. in 2025.

The Falcons have a crucial decision to make on a potential Kirk Cousins trade, but they aren't in a rush to make a move.

“The light at the end of the tunnel for us, despite how bad and poor we played on defense or anywhere is the quarterback,” Morris said. “Michael Penix is certainly outstanding. He certainly one of the guys that's going to play in this league and absolutely dominate for us as long as we allow him.”

Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said the team is "very comfortable" with keeping Kirk Cousins on the roster next season.

FILE 0 Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, left, and Michael Penix Jr., right ... (AP Photo/David Becker) Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday ...

The Atlanta Falcons closed out their 2024 campaign with a 44-38 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers at home. After getting off to a 6-3 start, the team will finish Raheem Morris’ first full season as head coach with an 8-9 record.

Michael Penix Jr. has largely made the most of his three NFL starts, with several now questioning why the Falcons didn’t bench Kirk Cousins earlier in the season. But hindsight is 20/20, and it’s clear things are on the right track at the quarterback position.

With an outside chance to nab the NFC South title and the conference’s last playoff spot, the Falcons play host to the Panthers.

Good thing Michael Penix Jr. is playing on a rookie contract because Cousins will be expensive for the Falcons no matter where he plays.