Kirk Cousins: I Felt ‘A Little Bit Misled’ By Falcons With Michael Penix Jr jilicc 77. Pick
Kirk Cousins was one of the biggest signings of the 2024 NFL offseason, inking a four-year, $180 million deal ($100 million guaranteed) with the Atlanta Falcons. Little did anyone know that Cousins would be one of two quarterbacks the Falcons would add that offseason, as they later selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Would Cousins, who previously started six seasons for the Minnesota Vikings (2018-23), have stayed in the Midwest if he had known the Falcons were using a top-10 pick on a quarterback?
“Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would’ve affected my decision,” Cousins said about his choice to sign with the Falcons on an episode of Netflix’s “Quarterback,” which premiered its second season on Tuesday. “I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high,” Cousins explained. “But I’ve also learned in 12 years in this league that you’re not entitled to anything. It’s all about being able to earn your spot and prove yourself.”
Cousins’ 2023 campaign ended after eight games due to a torn Achilles tendon, which contributed to Minnesota not re-signing him. Instead, the Vikings signed former No. niceph casino login philippines phdream app download apk 3 overall pick Sam Darnold to a one-year deal and traded up one spot to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Cousins noted that the Vikings were only willing to retain him on a “year-to-year” basis, while the Falcons were more inclined to make a long-term commitment. 90jili.ph
Darnold went on to have a career year, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod in a 14-win season for the Vikings. However, after losing in the NFC wild-card round, Minnesota let Darnold go to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency and is now banking on McCarthy as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, after starting last season 6-3 and sweeping the season series against their NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins and the Falcons experienced a downturn, losing four consecutive games. The quarterback had a tumultuous five-game stretch that resulted in him being benched for Penix, who took over for the last three games of the season. In Atlanta’s Week 10 defeat to the New Orleans Saints, which marked the first loss in that four-game skid, Cousins suffered a right shoulder and elbow injury but continued to play.
Reflecting on playing through the injury, Cousins, who will be 37 at the start of next season, stated that once you take a seat, “you may never get your job back.” Over that stretch, Cousins recorded 1,180 passing yards, one touchdown, nine interceptions, and a 63.8 passer rating while completing 62.7% of his passes. www 8k8 com casino Overall, he finished the season with 3,508 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, an NFL-high 16 interceptions, and an 88.6 passer rating over 14 regular-season starts, completing 66.9% of his passes. Unfortunately, the Falcons missed the playoffs.
“It hurts to go into work, but you got to be an adult,” Cousins said regarding being benched for Penix. “You’ve got to be a grown man and handle it with maturity. I feel sorry for myself, and it’s hard to do, but that’s what you got to do. And so that’s kind of where my focus went.” Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, remains on Atlanta’s roster and is currently the team’s backup quarterback behind Penix.
What are your thoughts on Kirk Cousins’ situation with the Atlanta Falcons?
