The Atlanta Falcons have secured Kirk Cousins as their new quarterback for the upcoming season, and with his arrival comes a change in jersey number. In an announcement made on Monday, the Falcons revealed that Cousins will be donning the No. 18 jersey for the 2024 season.
Initially, there were speculations that Cousins might negotiate with tight end Kyle Pitts for the No. 8 jersey number, which Cousins previously wore during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. However, it appears that Cousins opted for a fresh start with a new number.
The seasoned quarterback disclosed that both he and Pitts were open to the idea of swapping numbers, especially since Pitts had expressed interest in changing his number. Unfortunately, their plans hit a roadblock when the league intervened, informing them that they would need to purchase the remaining stock of Pitts’ No. 8 jerseys, a costly endeavor.
Cousins’ Number Conundrum: No. 8 Dilemma in Atlanta
Cousins elaborated on the situation, stating, “So he wanted to switch numbers anyways so it was like a perfect fit. He’s like ‘I want to switch numbers. You want No. 8. This is perfect.’ … And then the league spoke into it and they’re like, ‘Well, Kyle Pitts has a lot of jerseys that are No. 8 with Pitts on the back. You would have to buy every single one.'”
When questioned about the potential cost, Cousins revealed that it would have amounted to “several hundred thousand” dollars—an investment deemed impractical under the circumstances.
Cousins has a history of wearing No. 8, having sported it during his tenure at Michigan State, with the Vikings, and during his time with Washington, albeit donning No. 12 in his initial two seasons with the franchise that drafted him in the fourth round in 2012.
Cousins’ Career: Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Milestones
In his recent move to Atlanta, Cousins signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $180 million, which includes a hefty $50 million signing bonus. However, his 2023 season took a turn when he suffered an Achilles injury during a Week 8 clash against the Green Bay Packers. Despite the setback,
Cousins demonstrated impressive performance metrics, ranking among the top five in the NFL in completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns from Weeks 1 to 8. His streak of throwing at least 25 touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons came to an end in 2023 due to his injury, marking him as only the fifth quarterback in NFL history to achieve such a feat.
Approaching his 36th birthday in August, Cousins boasts a respectable 76-67-2 record as a starter and has secured four Pro Bowl appearances over his career. His impressive career statistics include 39,471 passing yards, ranking him 24th all-time, and 270 passing touchdowns, positioning him at No. 20 in NFL history.