After spending six years in Minnesota, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins got a pretty good feel for the fan base. Naturally, he’s expecting it to be very loud when the Atlanta Falcons play the Vikings on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.

“They will make it as hostile as they can for us,” Cousins said. “It’s a great fan base.”

As he prepared himself for the reunion, Cousins emphasized that he’s very much looking forward to catching up with a lot of people. He loved his time in Minnesota with his wife Julie and their sons Cooper and Turner.

“You feel so much gratitude,” Cousins said. “That’s really the main emotion I’m feeling.”

Though he’s expecting some of the memories might come rushing back this weekend, Cousins likened the experience to when he was with the Vikings and went back to play Washington at FedEx Field for the first time.

“I had no idea where the away locker room was,” Cousins said with a laugh. “Because I had never been in there.”

It will more than likely be a similar vibe when he pulls up at U.S. Bank Stadium with the nostalgia disappearing as soon as kickoff rolls around.

“You’re not thinking about that between the whistles,” Cousins said. “You’re just trying to go win a football game.”

That’s something Cousins desperately needs to do with the Falcons suddenly in danger of missing the playoffs. They have dropped games to the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers with Cousins struggling mightily in that span.

His most recent performance is among the worst of his career as he finished 24 of 39 for 245 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions. As he reconciled with his poor play ahead of the matchup with his former team, Cousins took some time to reflect on his journey, referencing how there have been countless inflection points throughout his career.

He wasn’t sure he would get a scholarship when he was at Holland Christian High School. He wasn’t sure if he would win the starting job when he got to Michigan State. He wasn’t sure he would ever get to play when he was selected by Washington.

Whenever the game he loves so much has knocked him down, however, Cousins has always found a way to get back up and keep fighting.

“Tough times don’t last,” Cousins said. “Tough people do.”

That’s a mantra Cousins always used to reference during his time with the Vikings. Now it seems only right that he’s referencing it before he plays against them.

“You know, at some point they’ll tell me, ‘You’re not going to get another chance,’ ” Cousins said. “Until then I’m going to keep trying to pick myself up off the mat.”

That was a hallmark of Cousins throughout his time with the Vikings. His tenacity was commendable, despite the fact that he only produced a single playoff win.

Now as he prepares to face his former team, Cousins has to pick himself up off the mat once again.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks during a news conference after an NFL football mini training camp practice on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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