Kirk Cousins’ departure from the Minnesota Vikings was driven by a significant revelation about the team’s plans, and it turns out the veteran quarterback might have been outmaneuvered.
Earlier this offseason, Cousins signed a substantial four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, a move that caught many by surprise. The surprise deepened when the Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick in last month’s NFL Draft, echoing the very scenario Cousins sought to avoid.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that Cousins chose to leave Minnesota after the Vikings candidly discussed their intentions to possibly draft a quarterback early, even if he stayed. The irony, however, is that his new team, the Falcons, did exactly what he had left the Vikings to avoid.
Despite being appreciative of the Vikings’ honesty, Cousins’ reaction to the Falcons’ draft choice suggests he might be less than pleased with his current team. This situation sets up a potential tension within the new player-team dynamic.
Breer noted the difficulty of the situation for Cousins, especially since the decision to sign with the Falcons was based on avoiding a similar scenario. “It had to be a crappy call to take if you were Cousins, considering the basis of the decision you’d made six weeks earlier,” he wrote.
While it’s possible the relationship might stabilize, thanks to the management skills of Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Cousins’ professionalism, any early season troubles could amplify the tension. Cousins had hoped to secure his position as a starter for multiple seasons, but with Penix waiting in the wings, he now faces immediate pressure to perform.
Reports suggest Cousins was utterly taken aback by the Falcons drafting Penix, leaving him “shocked” and “disappointed.” Though he is locked into a four-year deal, the team could feasibly move on from him if his performance doesn’t meet expectations, making his tenure in Atlanta potentially precarious.
