Season 2 of ‘Quarterback’ on Netflix did not bury the lead, with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins opening up on his feelings after the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft.
Cousins wasted little time in the first episode, saying he felt "a little bit misled" and perhaps would have re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings had he known of the Falcons intentions of taking a quarterback in the first round.
The veteran quarterback said he was aware they might draft a quarterback, just not in the first round.
"Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would've affected my decision," Cousins said. "I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are 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 being able to earn your spot and prove yourself."
It might not have been any different in Minnesota as the Vikings took former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick in the 2024 draft.
Things were rolling the first half of the season as the Falcons went 6-3 in their first nine games. But Cousins got hurt in Game 10 against the Saints and that started a four-game losing streak that seriously damaged their playoff chances. During that stretch he threw 8 interceptions with no TD passes.
He later stated in the episode that he was more injured than he let on but didn't want to sit and give Penix a shot because he was afraid he would not be able to reclaim his starting spot.
"The information I had at the time, I made the best decision," Cousins said. "You also know that if you sit down Week 10 and take two or three weeks or more to let it heal, you may never get your job back. I remember reading Drew Brees' book back in 2010 when he first wrote it, how he made the point that he tried to never let his backup see the field -- even if it was somebody who was really no threat. He just felt like you should never do that. Doug Flutie taught him that.
"So that was something I always was aware of, that in this league, if you give someone else the chance, if you want to get 'Wally Pipped' and there's Lou Gehrig behind you, that can happen at [any] time."
Eventually the Falcons turned to Penix in Week 16 and he was declared the starter going into the 2025 season.
