Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins experienced a surprise from the Atlanta Falcons, who picked quarterback Michael Penix Jrat No. 8 in the 2024 draft. The Vikings had told Cousins about their intention to pick a quarterback, which they did by trading up to selectJ.J. McCarthy
at No. 10. This information was a key part of Cousins’ decision
to leave Minnesota. Reports about his feelings in Atlanta keep coming out, and the notion that Cousins left Minnesota because of their plans is gaining traction. Additionally, there are questions about whether it had anything to do with Cousins wanting to help groom his replacement. “While it's difficult to ignore two different reports on similar topics, it could be asked if Atlanta’s decision really bothered the veteran,” wrote Matt Holder from Bleacher Report on May 11.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote
on May 11. “It seems pretty clear that Cousins has no interest in grooming a young quarterback to eventually replace him.” Holder recommends believing the idea that the Vikings’ plans to draft a quarterback – McCarthy or another player – were the reason for Cousins’ departure. He refers to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer on Cousins’ departure from Minnesota.
Kirk Cousins was surprised by the Falcons' decision after leaving the Vikings
Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
“Cousins decided to leave Minnesota … 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,”
Gettyon May 6. “Tying that together with the team’s willingness to guarantee part, but not all, of a second year on another contract, Cousins figured that, if he stayed, there was a good shot that he’d be on the move in 2025.
“I know Cousins appreciated how open the Vikings were about their draft strategy, even if it meant him leaving.” Breer wrote Holder also points to a report of sentiments expressed by Cousins’ agent.
“Mike McCartney, the agent for Kirk Cousins, said the only heads up the Falcons gave Cousins about picking Michael Penix was a call while the team was on the clock. He’d just signed a four-year deal for $180 million, the first two of which are fully guaranteed,
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported
on X on April 25. “There’s inherent frustration and confusion from Cousins’ camp, as they didn’t use that pick to help the team in 2024. They instead drafted his eventual replacement before he’s put on a Falcons helmet. “Cousins understands the business of football and is ready to move forward. But there was understandable surprise.” Cousins cleared the air with Penix, showcasing the leadership that his former teammates spoke of.
Insider Questions Kirk Cousins’ Leadership
Quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.
Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips
appeared on NFL Network and called for a group effort to fill the “big void” in leadership created by Cousins’ exit.
Getty“There is gonna be a huge loss,” Phillips said on “
NFL Total Access ” on May 8. “Kirk Cousins as a person, as a leader, as a teammate, that’s a big void in your locker room. One of the most humble guys that I’ve ever been around. Servant-leader. Just a great motivator. He’s great. And to ask one person to fill that void is probably not probable. So what we’re going to do is have a great leadership team, which we’ve already seen. "We're going to pass that torch and divide up the work. We're all going to share the load together, and maybe we can be a better team because of it. But Kirk is obviously amazing.
There is uncertainty about whether everyone in Minnesota will miss Cousins."I've heard some strong opinions about people who have previously worked with Cousins questioning his leadership abilities," said Mike Florio on "Pro Football Talk" on May 10.Pro Football Talk
"We'll see how the Vikings move forward. I think this is one of the reasons they were leaning towards J.J. McCarthy."
"They see in him a natural and charismatic leader who will take the team where it's been trying to get back to for nearly 50 years."
Still, it's difficult to dispute Phillps' feelings lightly. If his two years as Cousins' teammate aren't enough evidence,Justin Jeffersonspoke highly of Cousins
before his departure.
A popular theory about the main reason for Kirk Cousins' departure from the Minnesota Vikings is gaining traction in NFL circles. Justin Jefferson also spoke highly of Cousins before the latter’s exit.
