Kirk Cousins felt "a little bit misled" by the Atlanta Falcons drafting signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. shortly after signing him in 2024, the veteran revealed in the latest season of Netflix's "Quarterback" series.
Cousins said that if he'd known the Falcons would use the eighth overall pick on a quarterback, he might have re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
"Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would've affected my decision," Cousins said, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. "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 Falcons inked Cousins to a four-year, $180-million contract in March 2024. The Vikings, who also attempted to re-sign him, drafted passer J.J. McCarthy 10th overall.
Cousins, who turns 37 in August, started 14 games for the Falcons last season before he was benched for Penix. The veteran previously revealed that a shoulder injury he suffered in a Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints contributed to the poor play that led to his benching. Cousins threw for one touchdown and eight interceptions from Week 11 to Week 15, his final start.
He worried that if he sat out, he would never get the job back, he said on "Quarterback."
"The information I had at the time, I made the best decision," Cousins explained. "You also know that if you sit down Week 10 and take two or three weeks or more to let it heal, you may never get your job back. I remember reading Drew Brees' book back in 2010 ... how he made the point that he tried to never let his backup see the field, even if it was somebody who was really no threat. He just felt like you should never do that. Doug Flutie taught him that."
Cousins has been linked to trade rumors throughout the 2025 offseason, though no deal has materialized. The Falcons have publicly stated they intend to keep him on the roster as a backup.
