Kirk Cousins ​​breaks silence on Atlanta Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr.

The NFL media made much of Kirk Cousins’ seemingly negative reaction to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s first-round pick. As a result, the veteran signal-caller will likely face many questions about his relationship with Penix and his new team during off-season training.

But in one of his first public opportunities since the draft, Cousins ​​dismissed the idea that he would have any lingering negative feelings toward the Falcons’ decision to select Penix.

“No, and I don’t think it’s possible.” Cousins ​​said on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast to a question about whether there was any conflict between him on the team. “We’re trying to win the Super Bowl, and that’s hard enough. So let’s all be on the same page and try to win a Super Bowl.

Cousins ​​also emphasized that he only focuses on what he can control. He also pointed out that dealing with a somewhat uncomfortable quarterback situation was not unusual for him or around the league.

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“You’re reminded again that there are things you control, and there are a lot of things you don’t,” Cousins ​​added.

“It’s not a foreign concept. We realize that this is the NFL. Everything can happen. Do a little of what I’ve always done as a player and let the chips fall where they may.

Cousins ​​entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick for Washington in the 2012 NFL Draft. In the same draft class, Washington selected quarterback Robert Griffin III second overall.

Griffin won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. But at the end of his first season, he suffered a serious knee injury and would never be the same again.

Cousins ​​made starts for Washington in his first three seasons. He then became the team’s starter in 2015. Three years later, Cousins ​​received the first-ever fully guaranteed NFL contract from the Minnesota Vikings.

Clearly, Cousins ​​has the experience to overcome the adversity provided by the Penix pick. But maybe he was trying to avoid needing it.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported One of the reasons Cousins ​​left Minnesota this offseason was because the team told him it planned to recruit his successor. Ironically, that’s exactly what happened in Atlanta despite the Falcons signing Cousins ​​to a $180 million deal.

No one would be surprised if Cousins ​​felt a little resentment toward Atlanta’s decision to draft Penix. After all, he won’t help Cousins ​​win the Super Bowl in 2024.

So, Cousins ​​will likely have to continue to express that no issues exist between him and the Falcons. His next opportunity to do so will come in front of journalists at the Falcons premises.