Kirk Cousins says ‘it isn’t helpful’ to have bad feelings towards the Atlanta Falcons after they drafted fellow quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of last month’s NFL Draft.
The Falcons stunned the NFL world when they used their number eight overall draft pick on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., just weeks after signing free agent Cousins to a four-year, $180million contract.
Questions were asked over the Falcons thought process in signing Cousins’ potential replacement before he has played a down for the franchise and the player himself has now addressed the situation for the first time.
Asked if he had any beef with the Falcons, Cousins told the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast that: "I don't think there can be.
"I don't think it's helpful. We're trying to win a Super Bowl, and it's hard enough. It's hard enough. Let's all be on the same page and try and go win a Super Bowl.
“You’re reminded again that there are things you control, and there are a lot of things you don’t control,” he added.
Cousins, who saw his 2023 season end early with a torn Achilles is preparing for his 13th NFL campaign and is well aware that teams will always be planning for the future when it comes to the quarterback position.
"This isn't, like, a foreign concept," Cousins continued. "There's an awareness that this is the NFL, anything can happen.”
The former Washington and Minnesota QB added that he asked for Penix’s phone number so he can help his teammates’ transition into the NFL.
"And then just congratulated him on an awesome college career," he said. "I lived it. It's hard to do. And what he did is at the top of the top in terms of college success. So, just wanted to let him know that I have the utmost respect for what he's done and we're ready to get to work. And I'm here if he needs me."
Live on DAZN PPV: Fury vs. Usyk on May 18. Click here for details.