Kirk Cousins insists there’s no beef between himself and the Falcons, who selected his heir apparent in Michael Penix Jr. during last month’s NFL draft.
If anything, the experience reiterated a tale as old as time when it comes to business in the league.
“I think you’re reminded again there are things you control and there’s a lot of things you don’t control, and so, let’s deal in reality and recognize that fact and then be a steward and not an owner,” Cousins said on Tuesday’s installment of the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast.
“So I just believe that I’ve got to steward what comes my way and control what I can control, which is what a steward does, but a steward doesn’t worry about that which they can’t control. An owner does … So I just got to steward this and just do kind of what I’ve always done as a player and let the chips fall where they may.”
Less than two months after Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons worth $100 million guaranteed in NFL free agency, Atlanta brass selected former Washington quarterback Penix with the eighth overall pick in April’s 2024 NFL Draft — stunning both the league and, according to reports, the ex-Vikings quarterback.
For Cousins, though, allegations of discord over the Penix selection aren’t helping either quarterback, let alone the team.
“No, I don’t think there can be, I don’t think it’s helpful,” the 35-year-old responded when asked if there’s beef with the team.
“We’re trying to win a Super Bowl and it’s hard enough, so let’s all be on the same page and let’s go try to win a Super Bowl.”
Before landing in Atlanta, Cousins spent the past six seasons in Minnesota, where he reached the postseason twice.
Though he led the Vikings to the playoffs in 2022 after finishing the regular season at 13-4, the last season was cut short for Cousins after he tore his Achilles in Week 8.
With Cousins eager about new beginnings in Atlanta, he’s ready to get to work with Penix, whom he texted on draft night in April.
“I just texted him that night, wanted him to have my number, just to have a resource to reach out to,” Cousins said of Penix, who was the fourth quarterback selected in the first round behind Caleb Williams (No. 1 to the Bears), Jayden Daniels (No. 2 to the Commanders) and Drake Maye (No. 3 to the Patriots).
“… And then just congratulated him on an awesome college career. Lived it. It’s hard to do. And what he did is at the top of the top in terms of college success. So, just wanted to let him know that I have the utmost respect for what he’s done and we’re ready to get to work. And I’m here if he needs me.”
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot has since provided insight on the pick, noting Cousins is the quarterback of the present while Penix represents the future.
“When you can add a high-caliber player like that with his intangibles, those tools — he’s a winner. Very, very excited. You don’t pass up that opportunity,” Fontenot told reporters in April. “Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We’re very excited about Kirk, we’re very excited about our team. Michael Penix is, we’re talking about the future. The draft is — you look at the future and you look at big picture.
“But we’re very excited about that quarterback room. And again, Kirk is our quarterback, but adding Michael Penix is thinking about the future.”
Penix led the Huskies to a national championship appearance in January, with Michigan topping Washington, 34-13.
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