Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said he may have re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 offseason if he knew his new team planned to use its first-round pick on another quarterback.
Cousins opened up about the Falcons' decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft during an episode of the Netflix docuseries Quarterback, which premiered on Tuesday (July 8). The veteran said he felt "a little bit misled" by Atlanta after the franchise took Penix early just weeks after signing him to a contract worth at least $100 million guaranteed.
Cousins said he was aware that the Falcons could take a quarterback for their long-term plans, but not that high, and wasn't informed of the decision until getting a phone call from offensive coordinator Zac Robinson while the team was on the clock.
"Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would've affected my decision," Cousins said. "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. 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."
The Vikings, who also offered Cousins an extension before he decided on the Falcons, took former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy two picks after Penix. Atlanta went 6-3 in Cousins' first nine starts before he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 10 and went on to lose four consecutive games, throwing eight interceptions and zero touchdown passes during that span.
Penix took over and went 1-2 in the Falcons' final three games, throwing for 737 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Cousins had previously appeared on the first season of Quarterback and will be featured along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff in Season 3.