The Atlanta Falcons currently are getting to know their new quarterback — the dad-joke-telling, chain-restaurant-eating, movie-quoting Kirk Cousins.
Players and coaches say that Cousins has a very dry sense of humor. In fact, that personality even comes through as he breaks the huddle and calls out the play.
“He gets a real good energy and real authentic-ness about it, and it’s kind of fun to watch,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris told reporters earlier this month. “It always makes you smile when you’re back there watching no matter how many times you see it. He’s a lot of fun to be around.”
And Morris said he’s glad that Cousins is being his authentic self in front of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons surprise first-round selection in April’s draft.
“I think it’s been fun to watch him learn from Kirk,” Morris said. “I think the cool part is him being in the background, being able to process, watching Kirk go through his way of doing his deal and be his authentic self. When (Cousins) calls a play, he’s able to inject his personality into the play call with the guys when they come out of the huddle.”
The Falcons return to the field next month for preseason training camp. It starts July 24th. And the team probably still will need to grow more accustomed to all things Cousins. The 36-year-old quarterback left the Vikings in March to sign with the Falcons. Most NFL observers believe Atlanta is a decent quarterback away from breaking a three-year stretch of seven-win seasons. So maybe this is the season.
Atlanta definitely signed a quarterback who is comfortable in his own goofiness.
“I try to lead with presence and have a little bit of force of personality,” Cousins told reporters. “When I step in the huddle, I try to make sure it’s not just blah — that you’re communicating well, that there’s some presence there — and you got some charisma.”
He added: “Most of my young teammates would tell you that (his personality) has kind of a dad-joke vibe to it,” Cousins said. “But I think they would tell you my humor lands with them.”
And he doesn’t mind that his much younger teammates kid him about being old, at least old in the eyes of the NFL. Keep the jokes coming.
“Honestly, it’s a blessing,” says the Falcons quarterback. “I hope someday that the gap is even bigger because it means I’m still playing and still connecting.”
He’s had to conduct separate meetings with his offensive linemen so they can get used to his play-calling cadence, quips and all. But the offensive linemen also appreciate his disarming humor.
“He’s a funny guy,” said Falcons veteran Jake Matthews. “But I can’t say enough how much I’ve been impressed with just the way he’s come in here. Just from day one, it was personal. It just clicked.”
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