On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons officially selected four team captains for the upcoming 2024 NFL season. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, offensive tackle Jake Matthews and safety Jessie Bates III will hold the coveted distinction for the entire 2024 campaign.
Despite never playing a down for the Falcons, Cousins becomes one of two offensive team captains for Atlanta. The veteran quarterback is expected to be the missing piece for an offense that has underachieved in recent years. Over his 12-year NFL career, Cousins has racked up 39,471 passing yards, 270 touchdowns and 110 interceptions for a passer rating of 98.2.
Matthews, 32, has spent the past 10 seasons as the team’s starting left tackle. While he rarely gets the credit he deserves, Matthews has been a durable and consistent presence along the offensive line since being selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Bates signed in Atlanta during the 2023 offseason and led the team with six interceptions last year. The play-making safety has incredible range and instincts. The team added Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons to pair with Bates in the secondary this season. Bates and Simmons have 50 career interceptions combined.
Jarrett has been one of the team’s only consistent defenders for the last decade. Similar to Matthews, Jarrett rarely gets the credit that he deserves for his body of work. The 31-year-old has 443 total tackles, 34 sacks and 110 QB hits for his career.
The Falcons host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the 2024 season this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Steelers named Russell Wilson the starting quarterback but head coach Mike Tomlin said the Falcons must be ready for a Justin Fields package as well.
