Kirk Cousins Reflects on Michael Penix Jr. Pick and Vikings Exit After Contract Talks

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins rolled with the punches after the team used the No. 8 overall pick on Washington's Michael Penix Jr. a little over a month after he signed with the team.

"I've learned these things have a way of working themselves out," Cousins said on the Scoop City podcast (via The Athletic's Josh Kendall). "If you can play, you'll always have an opportunity somewhere, and if the other guy can play, he'll always have an opportunity somewhere. There seems to be a demand on quarterbacks."

For the four-time Pro Bowler, the Falcons' decision to select Penix was a reminder he can't rest on his laurels.

"You've got to earn everything," he said. "You just have to go out and play the best you can and believe that if you play well at the quarterback position, there will always be a team or a market for you to be able to keep playing."

Cousins also addressed his exit from the Minnesota Vikings, who he said were "honest" and "great through the process" as he weighed all of his options in the offseason.

"It was a great place to play," he said. "It as difficult to leave, and it took a special opportunity in Atlanta to have me leave."

Cousins did, however, tell podcast hosts Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel he was under the impression the Vikings preferred to sign him on one-year contracts to preserve as much flexibility as possible.

The 35-year-old is coming off a torn Achilles, so Minnesota's hesitation to orient its long-term future around him was understandable. Adopting that kind of approach only incentivized him to explore outside opportunities, though, because he was bound to get a better deal elsewhere.

The Falcons wound up signing him for $180 million over four years, with $100 million of the total guaranteed.

Cousins secured his massive payday, which might be the last of his NFL career. Atlanta landed the franchise quarterback it has coveted since Matt Ryan's exit in 2022. And the Vikings are starting over with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

In the end, everyone got what they wanted.