SHOWDOWN! Russell Wilson vs. Kirk Cousins - WHO WILL PROVE TO BE THE BETTER LEADER? 🔥 | FIRST TAKE

on both sides of this one Falcon Steelers who you got for more passing yards Russell or Kirk Cousins oh give me Kirk o chains though because I know he's not afraid to throw it deep listen free bejan Robinson free all these guys that have been on this offense and we've been dying to see him I think the issue with the Steelers I think this is a better Steelers team but week one where you got Jaylen Warren dealing with the hamstring you got offensive line injuries left and right I think we're those safe monies on cousins I wanted to reply to that Mike Tomlin we all know we all love him very few people love him as much as me I I I love him I love what he represents I love his success but I want to say something to Mike Tomlin that I don't think anybody has said to him accessibility you know when you sit up there and say when you sit up there when you say we don't care respectfully sir speak for yourself you don't care but your players do because let me tell you something when they don't show up and they don't perform and we're able to Chronicle lack of performance which compromises your bottom line of course they're going to Care see coaches are fond of saying that but you know this Jeff Saturday better than me better than doggy but doggy you know it better than most with 40 plus years in the business of your Hall of Fame career there's a whole bunch of people practically everybody that would mimic what Mike Tomlin said we don't care very few mean it he does I have no doubt about that but the players do care and oh by the way they should because if people are talking about you it's either because you did good and you're receiving a claim for that or you did bad and you're being called out for it so that indifference that he's talking about respectfully again speak for yourself because I have no doubt Mike Tomlin is sincere about him yeah those 53 Brothers he on that roster I beg to differ they don't care I don't give a damn what they say trust me they care yep I guess it depends who you seek approval from uh Stephen A what is the bigger debut Russell Wilson for the Steelers or Kirk Cousins for the Falcons for me it's Russell Wilson um because I think his career is on the line if Russell Wilson doesn't succeed here particularly with the way he looked in Denver um the way he was pushed out of town by by Shawn Payton in the Broncos primarily due to financial reasons I think we have to concede that he wasn't awful last year uh you know only had 18 interceptions think about 26 touchdowns bottom line is when you look at Russell Wilson he doesn't appear to be what he once was and most importantly he doesn't gone to to respect he once did and because of that representing a franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers a story franchise six Super Bowl championships on his resume and what have you it's one of those situations where he's got to show up being paid $1.2 million having a team pay him $ 37.8 million just to go the hell away um you're looking at him knowing he's not the future if Kurt Cousins doesn't show up in Atlanta or this year whatever he's coming off an injury it might take him a while to get going there's a lot of things to look at in regards to Kurt Cousins to explain what potential struggles may exist that's not the case with Russell Wilson nobody's going to buy it if he struggles it's gonna be because he ain't what he used to be and he's never going to be that again and his epit will be in the process of being being written I think it's more important for him a bigger debut with the new team I think that goes for Russell Wilson his career could be on the line I'll go cousins and then with thought to Jeff I'll go cousin Steve only because the Steelers are sort of the way they do things it's a team concept Ro Wilson they won't let him go too crazy make a few plays manage the game properly rely on our good defense at needs the quarterback to play really well I mean because they don't have a great defense I know they ated a couple guys but you know theoretically they need to have him play really well they spent a fortune to get him he's got panics behind him I think he's got we all know that the owner blank wanted the you he's getting old like Jones he wants to have a chance to win a championship he thinks cousins after Ritter and Mariota would be the next best thing so I think because the Steelers are such a great organization and they can figure out a way to get the most out of Wilson cousins has to be good and if he's good Atlanta could be pretty competitive so I think because of that the quality of the team I say cousins more important debut there this week down at uh Mercedes Benz yeah I'm I'm going with Stephen A in a big way listen I I think Russell here here and here's why I'm saying that Kirk Cousins has submitted himself in the league for what he is right he's the guy that Bing himself out of Washington then to Minnesota right and shows up and and he just he is all the naysayers that have hated on him for his he just keeps making the most money in it like he just keeps crushing it and just keeps doing it goes to Atlanta he's got a plethora of of Talent on the outside with Pitts and Drake London he's got bejan Robinson who's a great got a good offensive line I think they're going to be successful offensively their defense might not hold up but I I don't think everybody's going to go you know hey throw the baby out with the BW waterer type thing right like Kur cousins will be he'll be there even with pennick sitting behind him he's going to be there for a couple years the Russell Wilson convers ation is different for me because of this he cares about his legacy as much as anybody any player that we've known right like the Seattle the the the the the exit from Seattle was painful like it wasn't what you would expect out of a Super Bowl champion the type of teams they had him moving you know you heard a lot of whispers about people not liking him or liking him it was just a bad leave you know what I mean and listen I experienced Payton leaving Indie to go to Denver nothing like that right Tampa I mean Tom Brady going to Tampa I didn't feel that way right there was some friction between maybe he and the coach but it just felt sticky in Seattle to me and then you get to Denver and ESS brought up the the the point of moving him moving him out of Denver and then all of the noise that surrounded him with the office and being set apart and is he really a team guy all of those things just took shots at his not only his the the play that he puts on the field but outside of the game of football which no no player wants to go through that's why I think it's massively important that he's successful in Pittsburgh right like I think it's I think it's that he shows up not not only not only the way that he plays but the way that he leads Stephen A and I know you're a Steelers fan you they are a story frch they are going to play defense they they know they can win a number of different ways but it's him being voted Captain I think is massive and I think the way that he leads the team is going to be substantial for him because he does want his legacy cemented as one of the one of the great and I'm not putting him in Mount rushmor hear me in the right way but you know what I'm saying Super Bowl champion quarterback played with some great teams in Seattle now he wants to finish it up with a storyed franchise and Pittsburgh and right out the right way I think that stuff matters to him as we gear up for the highly anticipated start of the NFL season all eyes are on two veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins two players who despite being overlooked looked in their college drafts have now cemented themselves as NFL Elites both entering week one with new teams the big question is who will step up and Lead their team to Victory let's dive in Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins have followed similar paths in their careers both were drafted outside the first round Wilson and the third round cousins in the fourth but neither let that Define their success over the years they've racked up impressive stats and secured massive contracts each has proven themselves time and again but the Rivalry between them has spanned over a decade Wilson holds the edge in their matchups winning five of their eight meetings across both college and NFL games but with each game their competitiveness only grows now entering week one of the 2024 NFL season both players are facing new challenges leading new teams and dealing with the weight of expectation this season marks a new chapter for both Wilson and cousins as they each take on the role of starting quarterback for new teams Russell Wilson after two tumultuous seasons in Denver now steps up to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kirk Cousins after an Achilles injury cut his 2023 season short has signed a blockbuster $180 million deal to take control of the Atlanta Falcons Wilson's moov to Pittsburgh is a pivotal moment his time with the Denver Broncos ended on a sour note with Wilson bench during the final games of the 2023 season but the Steelers are counting on him to turn things around as Wilson said himself I came here to help us win and with a coach like Mike Tomlin at his side the pressure is on meanwhile cousins takes over in Atlanta a team that hasn't seen a winning season since 2017 the Falcons are looking to turn things around with cousins at the helm and he's got plenty to prove despite his injury last year cousins threw for over 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns in just eight games now healthy and leading a revamped offense he's ready to make his mark when we look at the numbers Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins have distinct strengths Wilson is known for his deep ball accuracy and ability to make plays outside the pocket while cousins is the model of consistency and Precision in his prime Wilson was one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league known for his clutch plays and ability to win games late on the other hand cousins has built his career on his dependability he may not be as flashy as Wilson but when it comes to methodically moving the ball down the field or better the biggest concern of course is whether cousins Achilles injury will slow him down or if he'll return to form as Atlanta's new leader statistically Wilson has a better win loss record in head-to-head matchups but cousins has often found himself on teams with less overall Talent now with the Falcons bringing in key pieces to surround him this might be the perfect setup for cousins to finally turn the tide week one is not just the start of a new season it's a Proving Ground for both quarterbacks Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers are up against a Falcons team that has struggled historically against them in fact the Steelers hold a dominant 1521 record over the Falcons in their all-time series but as we all know past performance doesn't guarantee future success Wilson will need to show that he can adapt to a new system quickly and make use of Pittsburgh's talented wide receiver core he has a lot to prove after his struggles in Denver and this game could set the tone for the rest of his season for cousins the stakes are equally High he's leading a team with big expectations and while Atlanta hasn't been to the playoffs since 2017 There's A Renewed sense of optimism with cousins at the helm if cousins can establish a connection with key players like Kyle Pitts and Drake London the Falcons could surprise everyone in week one the Rivalry between Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins has been brewing for years and each game between them seems to add another layer to their story Wilson has had the edge so far but cousins has a unique opportunity to shift the momentum week one this is more than just a regular season opener it's about Legacy can Wilson The Proven winner reclaim his status as one of the NFL's best after a rough few seasons or will cousins the consistent determined Underdog rise to the occasion and show that he's ready to lead the Falcons to a new era of success one thing is clear the stakes have never been higher as these two quarterbacks face off in week one their performances will not only shape their season but could redefine their rivalry altogether the battle between Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins is far from over and football fans won't want to miss it