Kirk Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons in March. Weeks later, he watched a scenario he feared unfold with his new organization.
The Falcons surprised most bystanders—and seemingly Cousins as well—by drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick. Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer noted that Minnesota’s pursuit of a successor factored into the veteran quarterback’s decision to go elsewhere in free agency.
“A reason he decided to leave Minnesota is because the Vikings were very up front with the 35-year-old about the possibility that, even in the case he stayed, they’d take a quarterback of the future high in the draft,” Breer wrote.
While the Vikings were open about their plans, the Falcons didn’t appear to give Cousins a heads-up before he signed a four-year, $180 million deal.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the Falcons informed Cousins of their decision to draft Penix while they were on the clock. Cousins was “a bit stunned,” believing any potential of them considering a quarterback wouldn’t happen in the first round.
Shortly after Atlanta’s unexpected decision, Minnesota moved up one spot to grab J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick. Based on Breer’s reporting, the Vikings might have made the same choice if Cousins stayed.
According to Breer, Cousins thought there was “a good shot” he’d be looking for a new team next year if he re-signed with the Vikings. Minnesota wasn’t offering him a fully guaranteed second year.
Cousins will receive $90 million fully guaranteed from Atlanta in 2024 and 2025, so he’s not likely to cede the starting job to Penix too soon. Breer predicted that Cousins and the Falcons will work through any awkwardness caused by the Penix pick because Cousins is an “adult” and new head coach Raheem Morris is “phenomenal” at developing relationships with players.