Michael Strahan Tells Kirk Cousins What He Needs To Hear

Michael Strahan didn't hold back when discussing Kirk Cousins' situation in Atlanta.

The former NFL star, who currently works as an analyst for Fox Sports, didn't hold back when discussing Cousins' benching in Atlanta. The Falcons signed Cousins to a huge contract this offseason. But less than one full season into his tenure with the team, he's been benched, in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix. Cousins knows he hasn't been playing well.

"It's pro football. There's a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me," Cousins told reporters after getting benched. 

"Unfortunately, I wasn't playing up to that standard consistently enough. It is what it is. You roll with it. Now, you still get ready, one play away kind of a thing, and support Mike and just try to help our team be able to find a way to win these last three to get in the playoffs. That's what it's all about. That's my focus."

Strahan, who won a Super Bowl with the Giants, didn't hold back when discussing Cousins' benching. He told the veteran quarterback what he needs to hear.

"Consistently mediocre. That’s what Kirk has been this year," Giants great Michael Strahan said, via the Daily Mail. "Whenever you’re a great player in your mind, you’re still that. But sometimes, your skill level diminishes, and it drops.

"You don’t know when it’s going to happen, it can happen at any point in the season. I think for Kirk Cousins, it happened now."

The Falcons were 7-7 at the time of Cousins' benching, but head coach Raheem Morris clearly felt the team could improve in its quarterback play.

Strahan thinks Cousins can still help the team, but just from the bench.

"Keep him around, let him teach Michael Penix the intricacies of the game," Strahan said. "It’s good to have that veteran influence, but I think Kirk may have to just humble himself to understand that’s his role right now."

The Falcons improved to 8-7 on the year with a 34-7 win over the Giants on Sunday.