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July 08, 2025
Michael Penix Jr.: Kirk Cousins signed a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons thinking he was their guy. He expected to lead the team as the starting quarterback. But just a few weeks later, the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr., a star from Washington.
That move caught Cousins off guard.
In the first episode of the Netflix show Quarterback, Cousins opened up. He said the decision made him feel “a little bit misled.”
Cousins said that if he had known what was coming during free agency, it might have changed everything. “If I had that information back then, my decision could’ve been different,” he shared.
He added that he and his family truly loved living in Minnesota.
“If both teams were going to draft a quarterback early, there really wasn’t much reason for me to leave,” he said.
Still, after 12 years in the NFL, Cousins understands how things work.
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“You’re not guaranteed anything in this league,” he said. “It’s all about earning your place and proving yourself every single time.”
Atlanta gave Cousins a massive $180 million contract on March 13, 2024. Just over a month later, on April 25, the Falcons used their first-round NFL Draft pick on Michael Penix Jr. The move surprised many — including Cousins’ camp.
His agent, Mike McCartney, told NFL Network that the Penix pick was “a big surprise” for them. “We didn’t see this coming at all,” McCartney said. “In fact, no one around the league saw it coming either.”
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He explained that there was no warning from the Falcons. “Kirk only got the call when the team was already on the clock,” McCartney added. “That was the first time we heard anything. It was never mentioned in any of our talks.”
Cousins started the first 14 games of the 2024 season for Atlanta. During that stretch, he threw for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, he also recorded a career-high 16 interceptions.
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With the team sitting at a 7-7 record and turnovers piling up, concerns grew. As a result, the Falcons decided to bench Cousins. Michael Penix Jr. was named the starter ahead of their Week 16 game against the New York Giants.
As the 2025 season approaches, Cousins now finds himself in an unusual spot.
He’s a high-paid backup while Michael Penix Jr. steps in as the new starting quarterback.
Penix is set for his first full season leading Atlanta. In his rookie year, he threw for 775 yards and three touchdowns. Now, all eyes are on him to take the next big step.
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