Amid a difficult tenure in Atlanta, the 37-year-old quarterback reignited his free-agent market with a spectacular performance against the Buccaneers.

Falcons slammed for Kirk Cousins decision that 'changed the course of the franchise' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Where has that Kirk Cousins been?

The Atlanta Falcons’ season is over. But Kirk Cousins’ NFL career definitely is not. While Baker Mayfield was forced to take responsibility for a numbing loss on Thursday Night

Even though the Atlanta Falcons seem pretty deadset o n trying to make Michael Penix Jr. the future of their franchise, they're still, for now, rostering Kirk Cousins. And as Penix recovers from knee surgery, the Falcons have been more or less forced to play the veteran quarterback down the stretch run of a lost season.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins recaptured his heroics from his glory days with the Vikings and helped Minnesota in the process.

Julie Cousins gets real about the night Kirk was benched in Atlanta, calling it one of the toughest moments their family has faced.

Cousins completed 30 of 44 passes for 373 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Falcons ' 29-28 win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

The Buccaneers fell to 7-7, a half-game behind the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. It has been a tough time for Cousins, who was benched last season and lost his job. He got it back due to a season-ending knee injury to Penix. He had been written off at age 37. But for one night at least, the Falcons looked smart for keeping him on the roster.