Cousins put on a clinic explaining how modern quarterbacks read NFL defenses.

People that think QB’s having mostly pure progression reads because they can’t handle coverages based options need to listen to this.

It’s IMPOSSIBLE nowadays to figure out pre-snap what coverage a defense is in…hence pure progression.pic.twitter.com/w0VicBGmb9

— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 18, 2025

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has seen a few things over his 14 seasons in the NFL. With 294 career touchdown passes under his belt, Cousins understands the complexities of NFL defenses as well as anyone in the league.

The 37-year-old broke down the evolution of the quarterback position and pre-snap reads during his Wednesday press conference. Cousins shared some insight into how modern NFL defenses have caused a shift toward progression-based reads.

“Defenses got so good at disguising it that I would be so stressed going into games going ‘the whole game plan is built on is it single-high or split safety, and I can’t see if it’s single-high or split safety,'” explained Cousins. “Coaches started to realize that if we ask a quarterback to do that, it’s going to be really hard because the defense knows that’s the game we’re playing and they’re not gonna let us play it.”

NFL fans, players and coaches alike were equally impressed by Cousins’ ability to explain how modern quarterbacks approach pre-snap reads.

NFL world reacts to Kirk Cousins’ comments

QB’s : it doesn’t matter whether you’re the backup or the starter… if you ever want to have a long career as a backup or productive career as the starter you must be able to articulate your thoughts and understandings about offensive football, strategy and scheme, concept and… https://t.co/PbK6lLPpGl

— Luke McCown (@luke_mccown) December 18, 2025

You think he got rich playing football, wait till he gets into TV and is taking over for Collinsworth or something. Dude might end up being the Warren Buffett of football https://t.co/CV3yUw5ods

— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) December 18, 2025

Credit to all the beat writers who keep asking QBs and coaches about this. It’s been fun seeing all of them give their thoughts on it around the league. https://t.co/zlxLfqNnd3

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) December 18, 2025

Vic Fangio wasn’t the first coach to disguise obviously but he was the coach that really took it to another level with the Bears and he deserves a lot of credit for really changing how QBs read coverage https://t.co/zZWAiiT6bn

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) December 18, 2025

The Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind a 373-yard, three-touchdown performance by Cousins in Week 15. The team will look to keep that momentum going against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. Sunday’s game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium.