Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins teased the fanbase after joining the Atlanta Falcons in the first day of free agency.
Judd Zulgad of SKOR North and USA Today shared a social media post from Cousins which featured a photo of Cousins and his two sons at the official signing of his new deal with Atlanta. They were all smiling and holding up chains that read “DIRTY BIRDS” next to a Falcons helmet and the contract on a desk.
This is brilliant trolling and reflects Cousins’ desire to stick it to his former employer. If you don’t know about that chain, do some research. With Cousins, nothing is an accident. https://t.co/HnHMBKzMMm
— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) March 13, 2024
“This is clever teasing and shows Cousins’ intention to get back at his old employer,” Zulgad wrote. “If you’re not familiar with that chain, look it up. With Cousins, it’s always intentional.”
History of ‘Kirko Chainz’ Nickname Was Unique Source of Pride to Vikings Fanbase
GettyQuarterback Kirk Cousins, previously with the Minnesota Vikings.
Cousins’ nickname “Kirko Chainz” became popular among Vikings players and fans in 2022. The first time he wore his teammates’ jewelry was after a Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints in London, when he put on the chain of left tackle Christian Darrisaw .
A footage of Cousins shirtless with multiple chains on the team plane after a win against the Washington Commanders later that season went viral, creating a dance that went along with the nickname. After getting injured last season, Cousins led Vikings fans in a “SKOL” chant at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 17. He and his son, Cooper, were both seen without shirts with chains around their necks.
By referencing his history with chains during his first photo-op with the Falcons, Cousins is lightly teasing in line with his nice-guy persona. While it may not be intended as a mean-spirited action toward Vikings fans, Zulgad might be right that it’s somewhat of a dig at the organization itself.
Falcons Outbid Vikings for Kirk Cousins, Which Could Come Back to Haunt Minnesota
GettyQuarterback Kirk Cousins.
During his introductory press conference in Atlanta on Wednesday night, Cousins discussed the difference in how the Vikings management approached his potential extension compared to the negotiations with the Falcons for the new deal he ended up signing.
“In Minnesota, over the last couple offseasons, it was trending to being somewhat year to year,” Cousins said, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. “As we talked with Atlanta, it felt like this was a place where, if I play at the level I expect to play, I can retire a Falcon.”
The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year contract worth $180 million in total ($45 million per year), with $100 million completely guaranteed. Minnesota wasn't willing to go that high and ended up signing San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year contract.
NBC analyst and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms criticized the Vikings for that decision on social media on Wednesday.
“The more and more I think about it, the more I ask what the hell the Vikings were thinking letting Kirk Cousins out the door,” Simms posted to X. “A top 10-12 QB over a few million?? To start over at the most important position with no guarantee [of] drafting one of top guys??”
The Vikings are going to choose at the 11th spot in the initial round of the 2024 NFL draft and will probably try to pick a quarterback. However, as Simms suggested, Minnesota might have to trade up a few places to ensure that they can get one of the first five QBs chosen in what is thought to be the deepest group of quarterbacks in recent history.
