Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March only to then see the team select Washington signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall draft pick in the NFL Draft one month later.
When asked if he would have signed with Atlanta had he known about the Falcons' potential QB plans, Cousins said the following after being asked the question by Zach Klein of WSB-TV:
"I don't really deal in hypotheticals," he said (h/t ESPN's Marc Raimondi). "We could go down that path for a long time, in a lot of ways. It just doesn't do us any good. So, I'm excited for this opportunity I have. I think it's a real privilege to be a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and I'm trying to make good on the opportunity given me, with the way I work each day and the way we play this fall."
Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN's Pete Thamel after the pick that their camp wasn't aware the Falcons would select Penix until the team was on the clock with the eighth selection. McCartney also relayed that there was "frustration and confusion" from Cousins' camp after the Falcons didn't make a selection to improve the team for 2024.
It's undoubtedly an awkward situation for all parties involved, with the Falcons essentially drafting Cousins' replacement before the 35-year-old veteran even steps on the field for Atlanta.
But Cousins and Penix are both taking the high road. Cousins was asked on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast if there was beef with Atlanta, and he said the following (h/t Raimondi):
"I don't think there can be," Cousins said. "I don't think it's helpful. We're trying to win a Super Bowl, and it's hard enough. It's hard enough. Let's all be on the same page and try and go win a Super Bowl."
Penix spoke with reporters one day after being drafted and had this to say.
"He did reach out," the 23-year-old said regarding Cousins when asked if the veteran spoke to him (h/t CNN's Aimee Lewis). "We had a very good conversation …"
"I'm going to keep it between me and him right now but it was definitely a good conversation and I'm super excited to work with him and he said he is the same for me.
"I'm super blessed to be able to be in a room with him and to be able to work with him and learn from him. And support him as he continues with his career."
The Falcons are in a new era after Arthur Smith was fired after three seasons as head coach. Raheem Morris has now taken over, and for now, Cousins is QB1 in Atlanta as the team looks for its first playoff appearance since 2017.
