Kirk Cousins Breaks Silences on Falcons Selecting QB Michael Penix Jr.

While obviously disappointed with how the Falcons targeted a quarterback instead of another offensive player or a defender that could have helped Cousins win more games in 2024, the veteran quarterback did suggest the Falcons already looking ahead to their future is how the league works.

"But I've also learned in 12 years in this league that you're not entitled to anything," Cousins also said.
"It's all about being able to earn your spot and prove yourself."

Cousins will probably win over some neutral fans with those comments. If fans really believe the Falcons mislead the veteran quarterback, they aren't going to side with the team in a Cousins-Falcons debate.

But quarterback had other reasons to depart Minnesota for Atlanta besides the fact the Vikings were going to draft a first-round quarterback. Actually, Cousins had 180 million reasons -- the number of dollars the Falcons included in the quarterback's four-year contract last offseason.

Atlanta is still on the hook for that now even with Penix having already supplanted Cousins in the team's starting lineup.

Offering someone a lot of money doesn't give an organization the right to treat someone like dirt. But Cousins is hardly the first 36-year-old starter to see his eventual replacement added to the team in the first round. Cousins also only lost his job because of his poor play, not really a reason related to Penix.

To use the quarterback's words, Cousins' contract entitled him to a lot of guaranteed money, not the starting job for four years.

It will be interesting to see what else comes from the Netflix documentary this summer. With Cousins being one of the featured quarterbacks, he has the opportunity to control the messaging around his Falcons tenure, as he enters the second season of his mammoth deal.

It's interesting timing for Cousins to be on the show with the veteran quarterback likely still hoping to be traded to another contender this summer.