Four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins seemed surprised by the Atlanta Falcons' decision to select a quarterback in the first round, just over a month after signing the veteran quarterback to a massive contract. four years.
The signing of Cousins in free agency was viewed as a move for the Falcons to stabilize the quarterback position for at least the next two seasons. Quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke struggled to provide consistency at the position last season. Instead of drafting a defensive player or bolstering the slot at wide receiver, the Falcons used the eighth overall pick in the draft on quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
On Tuesday, Cousins broke his silence on whether he harbored any resentment about the team's decision to essentially draft his replacement.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit on Jan. 7, 2024. (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“I don't think there can be. I don't think it's helpful,” Cousins said on a recent episode of the “Bussin' with the Boys” podcast when asked if there was any problem between him and the Falcons.
MICHAEL PENIX JR. OF THE FALCONS. PICK AFTER KIRK COUSINS SIGNS 'A LITTLE STRANGE', SAYS FORMER NFL COACH
Instead of focusing on “what he can't control,” Cousins said his main concern is doing what he can to help the Falcons win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
“We're trying to win a Super Bowl, and it's pretty tough. It's pretty tough,” Cousins said. “Let's all be on the same page and try to win a Super Bowl.”
Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. (Getty Images/IMAGN)
Cousins also recalled a similar situation he found himself in three years ago when he was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins said Klint Kubiak, the Vikings' offensive coordinator at the time, tipped him off that the team was considering drafting a quarterback. The Vikings ended up selecting Kellen Mond in the third round of the 2021 draft.
“This is not a foreign concept,” Cousins said. “There's an awareness that this is the NFL. Anything can happen.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins looks on from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit on Jan. 7, 2024. (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Falcons begin organized team activities this week. Cousins' 2023 campaign came to an abrupt end when he injured his Achilles tendon during a Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers.
Last week, Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Cousins is “pretty much at full strength” heading into the team's offseason program.
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Cousins also said he sent Penix a text message congratulating him on his past success and made sure Penix had his phone number if he needed to contact him.
“And then I just congratulated him on an incredible college career,” Cousins said. “I lived it. It's hard to do. And what he did is at the top of the top in terms of college success. So, I just wanted to let you know that I have the utmost respect for what he's done, and we're ready to get started.” work. And I'm here if you need me.”
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