Kirk Cousins, the former quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, received a harsh awakening from the Atlanta Falcons, his new team. In the 2024 draft, they chose quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall choice. The Vikings traded up to draft J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick after informing Cousins that they would be selecting a quarterback. A major factor in Cousins’ decision to leave Minnesota was that heads-up. Stories about his feelings in Atlanta keep coming out. Also gaining traction is the theory that Cousins left Minnesota because of their plans. There are also doubts over the possibility that it has anything to do with the cousins’ desire to assist in molding his successor. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report noted on May 11 that “it’s hard to deny two different reports on similar topics, even though questions could arise if Atlanta’s decision really got under the veteran’s skin.” “It’s pretty evident that Cousins has no desire to develop a young quarterback to take his place in the future.” Holder advises people to “buy” into the notion that Cousins’ departure was prompted by the Vikings’ intentions to select a quarterback, whether McCarthy or not. He cites Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated’s article about Cousins’ departure from Minnesota.The Vikings were quite upfront with the 35-year-old about the prospect that, even in the case he stayed, they’d choose a quarterback of the future high in the draft, which is why Cousins made the decision to depart Minnesota, Breer reported on May 6. When he combined that with the team’s willingness to partially, but not entirely, guarantee a second year on a new contract, Cousins calculated the likelihood that, should he stay, he would likely be playing somewhere in 2025. “Even though it meant he was leaving, I know Cousins appreciated how transparent the Vikings were about their draft strategy.” Holder also cites a report detailing the opinions of Cousins’ agent. “Talked to Kirk Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel said on X on April 25. “He added that Cousins was only informed by phone when the team was on the clock about the Falcons’ decision to select Michael Penix. He had recently inked a $180 million, four-year contract, the first two of which are guaranteed in full. “Cousins’ camp is naturally frustrated and perplexed because they didn’t use the pick to benefit the squad in 2024. Rather than having him don a Falcons helmet, they drafted his eventual replacement beforehand. Cousins is prepared to proceed and is aware of the football industry’s business practices. However, it made sense that they were surprised. By resolving the conflict with Penix, cousins demonstrated the leadership that his old teammates had mentioned.In an appearance on NFL Network, defensive tackle for the Vikings Harrison Phillips urged teamwork to replace the “big void” in leadership left by Cousins’ departure. On May 8, Phillips stated on “NFL Total Access” that “there is going to be a huge loss.” “Kirk Cousins leaves a huge hole in your locker room—as a person, a leader, and a teammate. Among the most modest men I have ever encountered. leader who serves. Simply amazing as a motivator. He’s excellent. Additionally, it is probably not likely to ask one person to fill that gap. We already have a strong leadership team, so that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to divide up the labor and give that torch to one another. Together, we will bear that burden, and perhaps this will make us stronger as a team. But Kirk is, of course, incredible. There’s no denying that Cousins will be missed by many in Minnesota. On “Pro Football Talk” on May 10, Mike Florio stated, “I’ve heard some strong opinions about some folks who have worked with Cousins in the past who question his overall leadership abilities.” “We’ll watch the Vikings’ progress going ahead. And I believe this is part of the reason they were drawn to J.J. McCarthy. “They see him as someone who will step in and be that charismatic, natural leader who takes the team to places it has been attempting to return to for almost 50 years.”It’s difficult to disagree with Phillps’ opinion on the situation, though. If Cousins’ two years as a teammate weren’t sufficient proof, Justin Jefferson also had great things to say about the latter before the latter left.
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