Kirk Cousins Gets a Reality Check
The Minnesota Vikings had a substantial decision to make this offseason, and that came at the quarterback position. With Kirk Cousins coming off of an Achilles injury, any desire to bring him back would come with a muted cost. The quarterback chased the paper, and following the first round of the NFL Draft, he was made acutely aware that not all franchises run well.
Kirk Cousins Gets a Reality Check
Kirk Cousins joined the Minnesota Vikings after struggling through years of ineptitude with Washington. Playing for a rudderless franchise, he found himself in a situation that benefited him from both a personal and financial perspective. Paid handsomely by Minnesota, Cousins was allowed to distance himself from the mediocrity he had become synonymous within Washington.
Unfortunately for Cousins, the outcomes in Minnesota reflected many of the same realities as in Washington. He routinely failed to win the big games that mattered, and despite being surrounded by superior talent, he often could not capitalize in even the most ideal circumstances. Ultimately, chasing another payday, as he has done often in his career, Cousins wound up in Atlanta.
It didn’t take long for the Falcons franchise to smack Cousins in the face with a reality that things aren’t always greener elsewhere. Selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he was met with the reality that his new franchise made the oddest move of the night on Thursday.
Not only did Atlanta take a quarterback who could have been available in the second round, but they also opted against helping their new $180 million player in the process.
Regardless of what is thought of Penix Jr. or what he becomes, Atlanta could have made a selection at literally any other position, and it would have been more beneficial. After giving Cousins the bag this offseason, there was zero reason for the Falcons to go after another quarterback. Penix Jr. is a highly debatable prospect on multiple levels, but he’s also already 24 years old and will be 27 years old by the time Cousins’ contract expires. Instead of getting their new signal caller help or making his job easier through an enhanced defense, the franchise took a player who shouldn’t see the field for the next three seasons.
The Minnesota Vikings opted against paying Cousins a ridiculous sum this offseason, and they responded by putting together one of the better first-round draft outcomes across the entire league. Cousins doesn’t get the benefit of playing for the purple anymore, and while he has another new chain to wear down south, his Kohl’s Cash-influenced outfit reared its head with quickness.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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