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Kirk Cousins Says He Felt ‘Misled’ by Falcons’ Penix Jr. Pick, Now a High-Paid Backup

Netflix’s 'Quarterback' season two premiere features Cousins candidly recounting how Atlanta’s high-pick draft of Michael Penix Jr. blindsided him, leaving him on the roster as a backup.

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Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Overview

  • Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract in March 2024 expecting to be Atlanta’s starting quarterback.
  • On the show, he reveals that he was unaware the Falcons planned to use their No. 8 overall pick on Michael Penix Jr., a move he says would have altered his free-agent decision.
  • He admits that a Week 10 hit left him with a right shoulder and elbow injury that he played through to protect his starting job.
  • Following a 6-3 start, a subsequent four-game losing streak prompted his benching in Week 16 in favor of Penix, and the Falcons missed the playoffs.
  • Despite ongoing trade speculation, the Falcons retained Cousins for the 2025 season with a $27.5 million guarantee, making him one of the league’s highest-paid backups.