Kirk Cousins, the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, recently opened up about the team’s decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft. The move came as a big surprise to Cousins, who thought he would be the starter for the Falcons after signing a huge four-year, $180 million contract earlier in March 2024.
What Did Cousins Think About the Falcons’ Decision?
Cousins expressed his surprise and frustration during the first episode of the Netflix series “Quarterback”. He said, “I felt a little bit misled” when the Falcons drafted Penix, especially after he had just signed his contract.
He explained that if he had known about the team’s plans to draft a quarterback, it would have changed his decision to leave the Minnesota Vikings.
He added, “I had no reason to leave Minnesota if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high.” However, Cousins, who has been in the league for 12 years, understands that in football, nothing is guaranteed, and players need to prove themselves to earn their spot.
The Draft Surprise
The Falcons picked Penix in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25, just a few weeks after signing Cousins to the contract. Cousins’s agent, Mike McCartney, said the draft pick was a complete surprise. He told NFL Network, “We had no idea this was coming.”
The Falcons didn’t inform Cousins or his agent beforehand. According to McCartney, the first time Cousins heard about the Penix pick was when the Falcons called him while they were on the clock.
Cousins’ Role in 2024
Despite the draft surprise, Cousins started 14 games in the 2024 season and helped the Falcons achieve a 7-7 record. He threw for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns, but his 16 interceptions led to some struggles, especially with turnovers.
After struggling during the season, Cousins was benched in Week 16 in favor of Penix, who had already played in some games during his rookie year. Penix passed for 775 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, and now he is ready to take over as the starter for the 2025 season.
What’s Next for Cousins?
As the 2025 season begins, Cousins seems to be in a backup role as Penix is getting ready for his first full year as Atlanta’s starting quarterback. While Cousins is still an expensive backup, he may have to fight for his spot and prove his worth if he hopes to return to being a starter in the NFL.
