For the next two or three years, people will likely debate whether the Minnesota Vikings made the correct decision in trading Kirk Cousins for J.J. McCarthy. But what about the Atlanta Falcons? Did they make the proper choice in signing the quarterback away from Minnesota?
Just weeks after making their franchise-changing choice, the Falcons raised eyebrows when, to the astonishment of most sports fans, they selected former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the NFL draft.
In light of this, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon forecast that Atlanta is “likely to regret” signing Cousins to a $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) this summer.
Gagnon noted, “They strangely wasted a top-10 pick on Cousins’ eventual successor instead of giving him more support, and Cousins is far from a lock to lead them to success.” “He has only participated in one postseason triumph in his NFL career, coming off an Achilles injury heading into his age-36 season.”
It might not be only the Falcons who have regrets in the end.
One of the main reasons Cousins decided to leave Minnesota after the draft, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, was because the Vikings told him they were going to pick a quarterback in the first round. After the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year contract the previous month, reporters questioned him about his response to the team’s decision.
On May 14, reporters specifically asked if he would choose to travel to Atlanta knowing that Penix would be following closely after.
Cousins stated, “I don’t really deal in hypotheticals,” according to NFL.com. “There are many ways in which we might go down that route for a very long time, but it is not beneficial to us. I’m thrilled to get this chance. Being a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons is a true gift, and I strive to live up to the chance they’ve given me every day by working hard.
After a few weeks to think it over, Cousins’ response was somewhat inconsistent with his first feelings following the Falcons’ unexpected selection day decision.
According to Dianna Russini, “the Falcons called Kirk Cousins when they were on the clock to let him know.” According to what I’ve been told, Cousins knew a quarterback would be taken into consideration, but he didn’t think his replacement would be selected in the first round. They say he’s a little taken aback.
Because of an unsuitable recruitment technique, Atlanta lost more than $180 million to Cousins.
Marc Raimondi and Tim McManus of ESPN reported on June 13 that “Cousins indicated during his introductory news conference that he spoke with the Falcons’ head trainer before 4 p.m. ET on March 13, when the new league year began,” following his signing to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million on the first official day of free agency.
