FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When the Atlanta Falcons host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season opener Sunday, veteran quarterbacks eager to make a statement with their new teams are center stage.
For Atlanta, all eyes will be on the revamped offense led by 36-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract in March to leave Minnesota.
The four-time Pro Bowler threw for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games with the Vikings in 2023 before tearing his Achilles. Cousins replaces Desmond Ridder in Atlanta.
The offseason additions have the Falcons in the conversation in the NFC South as they vie for their first winning season and postseason appearance since 2017.
“I’m very aware of the perception right now that our offense is going to be really great,” Cousins said. “We’ve got all these great players, but that’s only perception. It’s our job to make it reality. Until we go on the field and do it, I don’t feel any assurance on that.”
Sunday marks the start of a new era on the Atlanta sideline. Raheem Morris was named Falcons head coach in January. Morris was previously Atlanta’s interim coach for the final 11 games of 2020, going 4-7, as well as leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 17-31 record from 2009-11.
Morris, 48, was hired following three seasons as the Rams defensive coordinator.Assuming the role as head coach for the first time since the end of the 2020 season, Morris hasn’t let the moment get to him but knows what’s coming Sunday.
“My jitters usually don’t hit until right before the national anthem,” Morris said. “I don’t know if it’s the emotion of the anthem or what, but a grayness hits you and you’re ready to go play. In the preparation of it all, you build so much confidence in your process that you feel really calm about how you want to go about your business.”
Morris will face off against a former colleague in Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The two were defensive assistants together in Tampa from 2002-05 and remain friends.
Tomlin and the Steelers will roll out a new-look offense headed up by former Falcons coach Arthur Smith and a new quarterback.
Russell Wilson, who was released by the Denver Broncos, was named the starter last week over Justin Fields, who as acquired from the Bears.
Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, won the starting job in the offseason and appears ready to lead Pittsburgh in a competitive AFC North.
“I’m super excited to be here,” Wilson said. “Obviously, I came here to help us win. That’s the focus. I think the best part is how hard we’ve worked from OTA’s to Latrobe (training camp). We’ve got a great season ahead of us.”
After a legendary Seahawks career, Wilson spent a pair of tumultuous seasons in Denver, where he was benched for the last two weeks of 2023 as a way for the Broncos to “preserve financial flexibility.” Wilson then signed a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum with Pittsburgh.
The all-time series between the Falcons and Steelers has been largely one-sided, with Pittsburgh holding a 15-2-1 edge. Atlanta’s last win was on Oct. 22, 2006.
In Wednesday’s injury report, Morris noted that linebacker Nate Landman (quad) and tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) were both limited Wednesday. Morris said he isn’t concerned about Pitts’ status for Week 1.
Steelers starting left guard Isaac Seumalo is out for the season opener after leaving an August 28 practice with a pectoral injury. Center Nate Herbig, however, will miss the season with a torn rotator cuff.
–Jack Batten, Field Level Media
