Kirk Cousins’ Exit Was Shadier Than We Thought
Remember when the Minnesota Vikings divorced Kirk Cousins 16 months ago?
Kirk Cousins’ exit from the Vikings wasn’t just a typical free agency departure. It was mired by ridiculousness and then some.
The team said goodbye to Cousins after six seasons, as the veteran passer chased the largest satchel of cash available, signing with the Atlanta Falcons for $180 million over four years.
Yet, since that moment, his time in Atlanta has been sullied by controversy and shenanigans.
Kirk Cousins in Atlanta Has Been a Trainwreck
From tampering to misleading, Cousins might regret skedaddling.
First, There Was Tampering
Cousins accidentally let the cat out of the bag during his introductory press conference with the Falcons, telling the whole world that Atlanta’s brass contacted him about a free-agent contract before he was legally eligible.
That’s how the Cousins Era started in Atlanta. Full stop.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote last summer, “The Falcons have been investigated for the contact they may or may not have had with then-free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins before he signed with Atlanta. The Eagles have been investigated for the contact they may or may not have had with then-free agent running back Saquon Barkley.”
“The NFL has spoken to various members of both organizations. One league source indicated that the Falcons’ alleged transgressions are considered more significant, and the discipline is expected to be more severe for Atlanta. In the past, the league has taken tampering seriously and disciplined teams accordingly.”
So, to keep your scorecards straight: The Falcons tampered with Cousins, and he inadvertently spilled the beans. On himself.
The Tampering Penalty
The result of TamperGate? A lost 5th-Round pick and major fine.
CBS Sports‘ Anthony Bettin explained in June 2024, “The league is taking a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft from Atlanta, as well as fining the team $250,000 and general manager Terry Fontenot $50,000. Tampering refers to making contact with a potential signee outside of the windows allowed by the league. Cousins’ agent announced his deal with the Falcons about two-and-a-half hours after the NFL’s free agent negotiating window opened in March.”
“During the negotiating window, players and their agents can talk to teams, but are forbidden from visiting teams. During his introductory news conference with Atlanta, Cousins had a slip of the tongue that may have made league officials’ ears perk up.”
The price wasn’t very steep and might’ve encouraged teams to tamper in the future if the penalty was only a late-round draft pick and cash.
Then, There Was Gridiron Deception
Now, for the main event.
A Netflix documentary, featuring Cousins, Joe Burrow, and Jared Goff, premiered on streaming airwaves this week. Cousins said about 2024 free agency: “At the time, it felt like I had been a little bit misled. Certainly, if I had that information around free agency, it would’ve affected my decision. I had no reason to leave Minnesota, with how much we loved it there, if both teams were going to be drafting a quarterback high.”
“But I’ve also learned in 12 years in this league that you’re not entitled to anything — it’s all about earning your spot and proving yourself.”
Tampering? Check. Misleading? Check.
Cousins in Awkwardville
Which brings the situation to the present. Tampering and misleading tendencies are in the past.
Cousins is now the QB2 for a mid-tier team. He actually played somewhat well for the first few months of 2024 before his team sharply declined, and Cousins began to show signs of an age-related cliff. He also may have still been hobbled by an Achilles tear that he suffered with the Vikings in October 2023.
The Falcons have remained adamant about keeping Cousins as the QB2, but every week, there’s a new bizarre nugget regarding his very existence on the depth chart.
He’s in awkwardville.
How Does It End?
Unless Michael Penix Jr. is beset by J.J. McCarthy-esque injury this summer, it seems to feel like Cousins just has to be traded. Otherwise, he’ll live on a roster where he rather obviously doesn’t want to be, playing second fiddle to a youngster. Cousins hasn’t entered a regular season as a backup quarterback since 2015.
He probably hates it.
Regrettably, some team will lose its QB1 sometime in the next four months, and if that club is a contender, Cousins will immediately become the number-one-with-a-bullet option to salvage the season.
Cousins will likely be traded to a quarterback-needy team, probably under emergency circumstances, and his bumpy adventure in Atlanta can end.
It’s been a debacle.
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