Falcons’ Kirk Cousins – Beef over Michael Penix Jr. not useful

Kirk Cousins mentioned he does not imagine it is constructive to have exhausting emotions along with his new group over its shocking first-round draft choose.

Cousins, the productive veteran quarterback, signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in March. Final month, the group stunningly took a quarterback — Michael Penix Jr. of Washington — with the No. 8 choose within the draft.

Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, instructed ESPN’s Pete Thamel on the time that there was confusion and frustration coming from Cousins’ camp as a result of the Falcons acquired his successor earlier than he even placed on an Atlanta helmet and the group did not do something with its top-10 choose to enhance for 2024.

Cousins spoke for the primary time in regards to the state of affairs in an interview with the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast that revealed Tuesday. When requested whether or not there was any beef with the Falcons over drafting Penix, Cousins mentioned, “I do not assume there could be.”

“I do not assume it is useful. We’re making an attempt to win a Tremendous Bowl, and it is exhausting sufficient. It is exhausting sufficient. Let’s all be on the identical web page and try to go win a Tremendous Bowl.”

Cousins was requested throughout availability Tuesday if he would have signed with the Falcons had he recognized their draft plans.

“I do not actually deal in hypotheticals,” he mentioned. “We might go down that path for a very long time, in loads of methods. It simply does not do us any good. So, I am excited for this chance I’ve. I feel it is an actual privilege to be a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and I am making an attempt to make good on the chance given me, with the way in which I work every day and the way in which we play this fall.”

Cousins, 35, mentioned three years in the past that he was {golfing} on draft evening when he performed for the Vikings. Klint Kubiak, then the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, referred to as him and instructed him that Minnesota may draft a quarterback. So, Cousins mentioned, he has “understood for some time” that groups are at all times considering of succession plans.

“This is not, like, a international idea,” Cousins mentioned. “There’s an consciousness that that is the NFL, something can occur.”

The Falcons begin OTAs this week after rookie minicamp final week. Cousins’ 2023 season led to Week 8 when he tore his proper Achilles tendon. Falcons coach Raheem Morris mentioned Friday that Cousins is ready to be “just about full go” with every part the group is ready to do at this level of the offseason program.

Cousins mentioned he texted Penix, who took Washington to the nationwide championship sport this previous season, on draft evening. Cousins mentioned he needed Penix to have his quantity so he could be a useful resource to the rookie quarterback.

“After which simply congratulated him on an superior faculty profession,” Cousins mentioned. “I lived it. It is exhausting to do. And what he did is on the high of the highest by way of faculty success. So, simply needed to let him know that I’ve the utmost respect for what he is achieved and we’re able to get to work. And I am right here if he wants me.”