In a recent discussion on Pat McAfee’s show, Dan Orlovsky offered a detailed analysis of Kirk Cousins’ struggles and what’s going wrong with the veteran quarterback’s performance. Cousins, who had a promising start to the season, has been facing significant challenges, including a noticeable lack of confidence that’s affecting his game.
Orlovsky, who was closely involved in the production meetings and pre-game discussions, shared his insight into Cousins’ mindset. He pointed out that Cousins has always been known for his conviction when throwing the football, trusting his reads and his arm. However, in recent games, it has become clear that Cousins is struggling with self-doubt and doesn’t seem to trust what he’s seeing on the field anymore. This loss of trust is leading to poor decision-making, which is a major cause of his turnovers.
One of the most telling moments came when Orlovsky spoke about a conversation he had with Cousins before the game. The quarterback admitted that after the team’s bye week, he had tried to push the ball downfield more and be more aggressive, which led to mistakes. Orlovsky also highlighted that Cousins seemed to be mentally “stuck,” unable to regain his previous form.
Orlovsky explained that part of the issue might be the shift in offensive strategy. For most of his career, Cousins thrived in a play-action heavy offense, where he didn’t need to focus as much on pre-snap reads or defensive adjustments. However, this season, the Atlanta Falcons have moved away from play-action, putting more pressure on Cousins to read defenses, adjust protections, and navigate through progressions. This change has clearly impacted Cousins, as he’s not accustomed to such a heavy reliance on drop-back passing.
Orlovsky also touched on the mental aspect, suggesting that the lack of conviction in Cousins’ throws could stem from the mental challenge of trying to live up to expectations. He pointed out that in his prime, Cousins could confidently deliver throws despite risks, but now he hesitates and overthinks, which is reflected in his inconsistency.
As for the Falcons’ future plans at quarterback, there’s been speculation about rookie Michael Penix stepping in. However, Orlovsky believes that despite Penix’s potential, the team is not likely to make a change at quarterback anytime soon. Falcons coach Raheem Morris has emphasized that the team has a clear long-term plan, and part of that plan involves sticking with Cousins for the moment. The team is focused on building a competitive roster, not rushing into a change that could disrupt the development of both Cousins and the offense.
Ultimately, Orlovsky sees Cousins’ struggles as a confidence issue. Without the confidence to trust his instincts and make quick decisions, his performance has faltered. This mental block is what’s keeping Cousins from returning to the player he once was. It remains to be seen whether he can regain that confidence and lead the Falcons to success or if the team will eventually need to look elsewhere for answers.
