QB Kirk Cousins, ATL (4 Viewers)

[zamboni]

I'd just add that not cutting Cousins is actually one of the better decisions that Fontenot has made, even though I think it's a no brainer to keep him.

It was probably the right move because whether they keep, trade or cut Cousins, they are on the hook for a sizable chunk of money - real cash or accounting cap money. Still as capable of a backup as they can get at this point as long as Blank doesn’t mind forking over so many millions. If they could walk away virtually unscathed though, they might as well get a Flacco type for a fraction of the price. But obviously that’s not the case.

 

[menobrown]

I'd just add that not cutting Cousins is actually one of the better decisions that Fontenot has made, even though I think it's a no brainer to keep him.

It was probably the right move because whether they keep, trade or cut Cousins, they are on the hook for a sizable chunk of money - real cash or accounting cap money. Still as capable of a backup as they can get at this point as long as Blank doesn’t mind forking over so many millions. If they could walk away virtually unscathed though, they might as well get a Flacco type for a fraction of the price. But obviously that’s not the case.

If you look at straight as a football decision all the money on Cousins contract for 2025 was a sunk cost. So it boiled down to keeping him as a high end backup or trade bait and the cost was a CHANCE you owe him $10m in 2026, will be nothing if offset protection kicks in.

I understand some emotions on both sides but none of that I think rises to level of being a major concern. Not to a point you are essentially saying you'd rather cut Kirk then have him for possibly zero additional already sunk costs.

Never know how the season will go or what one of these teams who strike out on a QB get desperate enough to try and swing offer which could include picking up a chunk of the salary. And of course I would not know if Kirk would just say screw all that, I'm not relocating anywhere for a season or less and never waive his no trade clause. All I know is is I'm already on the hook for paying for 2025 and you are valuable as a player and asset I'm be keeping him, like they are doing.

 

[MAC_32]

Gut feeling Greg Newsome is part of the trade package being used to get Cousins to Cleveland. He's not long for here and the Falcons have a need for a boundary corner.

 

[menobrown]

Gut feeling Greg Newsome is part of the trade package being used to get Cousins to Cleveland. He's not long for here and the Falcons have a need for a boundary corner.

Would I be correct in thinking you believe Cousins is the QB that Myles recent referred to with this quote?

"After conversations, I do have an idea," Garrett said about whether he knows who the Browns' quarterback will be next season. "I like it [the idea] enough to be here smiling in front of you, because I think we have a good chance of that happening and making the most out of it

 

[MAC_32]

Gut feeling Greg Newsome is part of the trade package being used to get Cousins to Cleveland. He's not long for here and the Falcons have a need for a boundary corner.

Would I be correct in thinking you believe Cousins is the QB that Myles recent referred to with this quote?

"After conversations, I do have an idea," Garrett said about whether he knows who the Browns' quarterback will be next season. "I like it [the idea] enough to be here smiling in front of you, because I think we have a good chance of that happening and making the most out of it

If it is not him, then I'm flummoxed who he is talking about, but assuming it is Cousins, I still don't get why he's so excited. Assuming it's genuine anyway.

 

[FBG Moderator]

like it is USAID

Please keep political shots off the forum.

 

[Donnybrook]

like it is USAID

Please keep political shots off the forum.

I agree. It was not a good joke. I regret hitting send on that one.

 

[Riffraff]

Burrow, Cousins and Goff will be featured on 2nd season of Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’ series

 

[Faust]

Falcons HC Raheem Morris not expecting QB Kirk Cousins at voluntary OTAs

 

[Faust]

Sources: Cousins at opening of Falcons' voluntary workouts

 

[VikingFrog]

Saw a rumor to the Vikings as possible trade destination flash across my screen.

Not sure whether I want to barf or welcome him back with open arms.

 

[TheDirtyWord]

Saw a rumor to the Vikings as possible trade destination flash across my screen.

Not sure whether I want to barf or welcome him back with open arms.

Cousins showing up to OTA's was a surprise.

Funny how Aaron Rodgers would play for $10M...but the Falcons are looking for someone to take on $20M for Cousins.

And if Cousins signed on with MIN, he's the clear backup. His wifes family is in ATL. He has a full no trade clause. Why bother with the hassle of uprooting family again. Guy has made a quarter of a billion.

 

[Faust]

Falcons GM Terry Fontenot being 'patient' as Kirk Cousins situation plays out

 

[Faust]

Where will Falcons QB Kirk Cousins play in 2025?

 

[ffmail4me]

Is there any news on Cousins? I can't believe the Falcons are going to pay him this kind of money to sit on the bench....

 

[Faust]

ESPN insider rips Falcons as ‘stubborn’ for what they’re doing with Kirk Cousins

 

[Donnybrook]

Not going to lie, I think the lack of understanding of how a terrible contract effects a players trade value is lost on ESPN.. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/espn-lays-four-potential-trade-153033458.html. Like teams should be lining up to waste their salary cap.

No one should be taking on that ridiculous contract without trade compensation coming back to the team taking on that contract. Cousins should only be traded if the Falcons make a Brock Osweiler type deal. Not sure if that deal is even legal anymore.

 

[Grahamburn]

Very expensive backup QB and a super awkward situation for them. Especially if Penix struggles some early in the season as this is essentially his rookie year.

As a Bucs' fan you just hate to see it.

 

[Faust]

Kirk Cousins breaks silence on Falcons future after previous trade request

 

[Faust]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

 

[zamboni]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

 

[Kiddnets]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Also if he won games and looked better they would have easily left Pennix on the bench. His play fell off - would have been looking for a replacement regardless. He should be thrilled he cashed in before cratering.

 

[smbkrypt24]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

It came off more to me like he was asked how he felt and he gave his honest answer. Anyone that says different seems to be just saying the right thing. His answer actually sounded genuine.

 

[ffmail4me]

Kirk is a good guy, strong faith, does a lot of charity. I agree he’s just answering a question honestly. But it is clearly Penix time so I wish the Falcons would trade him

 

[Gally]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

It came off more to me like he was asked how he felt and he gave his honest answer. Anyone that says different seems to be just saying the right thing. His answer actually sounded genuine.

I wish more players would be genuine like this but they won't because they get crucified for things like this. Nothing wrong with his statement and it is probably how everyone would feel. It's also not wrong for the Falcons to have made that pick if they had doubts that Cousins could get fully back to health and play at a top level. Really nothing to see here.

 

[zamboni]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

It came off more to me like he was asked how he felt and he gave his honest answer. Anyone that says different seems to be just saying the right thing. His answer actually sounded genuine.

Agreed - he was being honest. Just not sure he's being honest with himself that perhaps the Falcons had buyer's remorse in signing him in the first place. $150 million is a big price to pay for remorse, but at the time team brass probably felt a bit desperate at the critical QB position.

 

[rzrback77]

It is the type of question where the interviewer desires to get something to capture attention. There is not a really good answer for Cousins to provide.

And how much money has been made in the past should not factor in to Cousins’ desire to remain productive in the NFL.

I too would like to see Cousin’s have another shot at being some team’s starting QB.

 

[Saint]

I'm actually surprised they didn't trade him in the offseason. My understanding is Pittsburgh was looking and they should have been able to get some decent capital for him. My initial reaction is the Falcons may not be 100% sold on Penix.

 

[floods]

It is the type of question where the interviewer desires to get something to capture attention. There is not a really good answer for Cousins to provide.

And how much money has been made in the past should not factor in to Cousins’ desire to remain productive in the NFL.

I too would like to see Cousin’s have another shot at being some team’s starting QB.

There are certainly teams whose QB situation is in dire straits. New Orleans immediately comes to mind. I was a bit surprised there wasn't any chatter around Cousins after Carr retired.

 

[menobrown]

I'm actually surprised they didn't trade him in the offseason. My understanding is Pittsburgh was looking and they should have been able to get some decent capital for him. My initial reaction is the Falcons may not be 100% sold on Penix.

Pittsburgh had him on the emergency list if Rodgers changed his mind but they got the guy they wanted.

I think his no trade clause made dealing him difficult. Some reports suggested he was not open to anything until the draft was over as not to have a repeat from last year. Once the dust settled on that there was really no place where he was a walk in starter. Despite his age and wanting to play I believe his line of thinking is he'd rather be a high paid backup this year and then look for a new team after the season then uproot his family for a few months to play for a less then desirable situation.

Until the trade deadline passes anytime a teams starting QB has what looks like it could be a few week or more injury we'll hear about Cousins being a trade candidate. Everyone should just remember he'll have a say in it.

Fontenot took Pitts at 4 over guys like Chase, wasted $90-100M on Cousins, made a head puzzling trade to give up what could potentially be a super valuable first round draft pick and jury is still very much out if Penix was the right choice over Nix or McCarthy(fwiw I don't think it was). How this guy has a job still is head scratching.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

It is the type of question where the interviewer desires to get something to capture attention. There is not a really good answer for Cousins to provide.

And how much money has been made in the past should not factor in to Cousins’ desire to remain productive in the NFL.

I too would like to see Cousin’s have another shot at being some team’s starting QB.

There are certainly teams whose QB situation is in dire straits. New Orleans immediately comes to mind. I was a bit surprised there wasn't any chatter around Cousins after Carr retired.

Winning games this year is not the Saints' goal.

 

[TheDirtyWord]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

It came off more to me like he was asked how he felt and he gave his honest answer. Anyone that says different seems to be just saying the right thing. His answer actually sounded genuine.

Agreed - he was being honest. Just not sure he's being honest with himself that perhaps the Falcons had buyer's remorse in signing him in the first place. $150 million is a big price to pay for remorse, but at the time team brass probably felt a bit desperate at the critical QB position.

It's one thing to have buyers remorse.

It's another to have buyers remorse 7 weeks after spending $180M on him. And those 7 weeks occurring in March/April, not September/October.

 

[wgoldsph]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

 

[Da Franchise]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

 

[Riffraff]

I was a bit surprised there wasn't any chatter around Cousins after Carr retired.

The failed Carr experiment is likely the reason they didn't go after another overpriced retread with no notable play-off success.

 

[wgoldsph]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

Players go for the highest dollar value or for winning a championship (more money during the playoffs along with the prestige). Cousins trying to secure a long term contract is a totally normal thing for any player to do. Washington hitting him with the tag repeatedly didn't give him that "generational wealth" you talk about (especially not by today's standards). Like everyone else at his position he wanted to get paid.

And he shut up when he got a contract he wanted. If he complained in Minn I don't remember it. So you've got the start of his career where the team that drafted him wouldn't extend him at his price or trade him putting the tag on him repeatedly, something I don't believe has happened to any QB in the past 30 years which he didn't like. Then the middle of his career where he got the contract he wanted...Crickets. Then the end of his career the team that signed him didn't tell him they planned to grab a QB in the first and he was obviously upset about that.

Sounds like you just don't like the dude to me.

Side question - how do you feel about Eli Manning? I'm genuinely interested to see if there's a difference between your take on the two.

 

[Buckna]

I'm actually surprised they didn't trade him in the offseason. My understanding is Pittsburgh was looking and they should have been able to get some decent capital for him. My initial reaction is the Falcons may not be 100% sold on Penix.

In addition to what @menobrown said, Cousins cap number is pretty big thanks to his massive contract. I think nearly a $50MM dead money hit to trade him this year. It gets much more reasonable next year to move him as his dead cap hit would go down to like $25MM if traded before his roster bonus is due. It's especially better for an acquiring team as his only guarantee is his $10MM roster bonus so a new team could tear up his old contract and pay him whatever they agree to.

Edit: his dead cap & guaranteed this year is not insurmountable but was likely a contributing factor

 

[Da Franchise]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

Players go for the highest dollar value or for winning a championship (more money during the playoffs along with the prestige). Cousins trying to secure a long term contract is a totally normal thing for any player to do. Washington hitting him with the tag repeatedly didn't give him that "generational wealth" you talk about (especially not by today's standards). Like everyone else at his position he wanted to get paid.

And he shut up when he got a contract he wanted. If he complained in Minn I don't remember it. So you've got the start of his career where the team that drafted him wouldn't extend him at his price or trade him putting the tag on him repeatedly, something I don't believe has happened to any QB in the past 30 years which he didn't like. Then the middle of his career where he got the contract he wanted...Crickets. Then the end of his career the team that signed him didn't tell him they planned to grab a QB in the first and he was obviously upset about that.

Sounds like you just don't like the dude to me.

Side question - how do you feel about Eli Manning? I'm genuinely interested to see if there's a difference between your take on the two.

Bro you need to reread what I wrote and then probably do it a couple more times, because nothing you just said address my comments.

I have no problem whatsoever with how he’s handled negotiations throughout his career. I am very pro-player. Game is brutal, they should fight for every dollar. And he never was a squeaky wheel in Washington or Minnesota. This would be that “aw shucks” I mentioned. He knows how to present himself in the media.

I’m a Wash fan, extremely aware of the back and forth in his negotiations and tags. We low balled him, he called our bluff, then he used the upper hand to leverage into two huge cash years on the tag and a massive contract in Minnesota. He shows up as 6th all time in career earnings anywhere I check and pretty sure will be 3rd after this season. And that’s fine, good for him. I’m not bitter he left Wash either. We mismanaged him just as much as he worked us.

*the whole point* is if you do all of that ^, and a franchise signs you, pays you a **** load more$$, then decides they want to draft a guy to replace you the next day, you gotta shut up about it. I don’t want to hear one single word. Just shut the **** up while the leopards eat your face because you’ve been the leopard your whole life.

 

[wgoldsph]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

Players go for the highest dollar value or for winning a championship (more money during the playoffs along with the prestige). Cousins trying to secure a long term contract is a totally normal thing for any player to do. Washington hitting him with the tag repeatedly didn't give him that "generational wealth" you talk about (especially not by today's standards). Like everyone else at his position he wanted to get paid.

And he shut up when he got a contract he wanted. If he complained in Minn I don't remember it. So you've got the start of his career where the team that drafted him wouldn't extend him at his price or trade him putting the tag on him repeatedly, something I don't believe has happened to any QB in the past 30 years which he didn't like. Then the middle of his career where he got the contract he wanted...Crickets. Then the end of his career the team that signed him didn't tell him they planned to grab a QB in the first and he was obviously upset about that.

Sounds like you just don't like the dude to me.

Side question - how do you feel about Eli Manning? I'm genuinely interested to see if there's a difference between your take on the two.

Bro you need to reread what I wrote and then probably do it a couple more times, because nothing you just said address my comments.

I have no problem whatsoever with how he’s handled negotiations throughout his career. I am very pro-player. Game is brutal, they should fight for every dollar. And he never was a squeaky wheel in Washington or Minnesota. This would be that “aw shucks” I mentioned. He knows how to present himself in the media.

I’m a Wash fan, extremely aware of the back and forth in his negotiations and tags. We low balled him, he called our bluff, then he used the upper hand to leverage into two huge cash years on the tag and a massive contract in Minnesota. He shows up as 6th all time in career earnings anywhere I check and pretty sure will be 3rd after this season. And that’s fine, good for him. I’m not bitter he left Wash either. We mismanaged him just as much as he worked us.

*the whole point* is if you do all of that ^, and a franchise signs you, pays you a **** load more$$, then decides they want to draft a guy to replace you the next day, you gotta shut up about it. I don’t want to hear one single word. Just shut the **** up while the leopards eat your face because you’ve been the leopard your whole life.

So basically every NFL player should shut up if something happens they don't like?

He's a leopard because players are empowered, but when he finds himself blindsided he should become a lamb. I'm genuinely not following this logical train.

I think what bothers me the most is it's a valid comment on his situation and not in any shape or form critical of the player. This is what I want to hear from a QB who wants to start games. He wants to start, he doesn't like it when he isn't, but it's the team and not the guy replacing him.

Just what is the problem here?

 

[TheDirtyWord]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

I actually disagree 100% here.

He's actually been the one player I can remember who embraced the franchise tag. If I'm not mistaken, he played on it twice in WAS which afforded him a 'no strings attached' situation from a FA when he finally left for MIN. And he did this on a 4th round rookie contract - not a 1st rounder. That doesn't feel like 'demanding every single red cent'...it actually feels pretty admirable insofar as betting on himself while playing the system (that largely favors the owners) to great advantage while at great risk to his long term financial future.

He's never held out...he's just tried to look out for the best situation for him/his family. My guess is that the 'misled' statement reflected more of a 'if I knew then what I know now' sentiment...and the process he went through likely prioritized security when he was a FA. As soon as Penix was drafted, he had none. And less than he would have had in MIN.

Consider that when the Packers drafted Rodgers in 2005...Favre's final 6 games of that season produced the following line:

2-4 record; 113/229 1338 2/12

Honestly, that's Nathan Peterman level play, but Rodgers doesn't start for two more years. Obviously Cousins' leash was much shorter.

 

[Buckna]

Cousins is currently 6th on the list in career earnings for the NFL. With his salary & bonus this year he will jump Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, and Tom Brady to be in the current top 3. Remains to be seen if he can catch Stafford at #2 (he likely won't catch Rodgers at #1 unless he manages to play for quite a few more years.) No matter what you think of him, he has been the GOAT at extracting maximum $$$ out of contract negotiations especially considering he was on a late round pick rookie salary for the first 4 of his 13 seasons.

 

[Da Franchise]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

I actually disagree 100% here.

He's actually been the one player I can remember who embraced the franchise tag. If I'm not mistaken, he played on it twice in WAS which afforded him a 'no strings attached' situation from a FA when he finally left for MIN. And he did this on a 4th round rookie contract - not a 1st rounder. That doesn't feel like 'demanding every single red cent'...it actually feels pretty admirable insofar as betting on himself while playing the system (that largely favors the owners) to great advantage while at great risk to his long term financial future.

He's never held out...he's just tried to look out for the best situation for him/his family. My guess is that the 'misled' statement reflected more of a 'if I knew then what I know now' sentiment...and the process he went through likely prioritized security when he was a FA. As soon as Penix was drafted, he had none. And less than he would have had in MIN.

Consider that when the Packers drafted Rodgers in 2005...Favre's final 6 games of that season produced the following line:

2-4 record; 113/229 1338 2/12

Honestly, that's Nathan Peterman level play, but Rodgers doesn't start for two more years. Obviously Cousins' leash was much shorter.

What you’re missing is that playing on the tag wasn’t a sacrifice, it was leverage he used to force his way out and hit free agency. He wouldn’t work on a contract extension specifically for that reason. Which again, zero problem with that, good for him. Then he squeezed a fully guaranteed contract out of the Vikings, the first one of those the NFL ever gave a player. Then he squeezed them twice more with contract extensions, extracting every dollar possible each time. Which again, good for him on all of that.

I don’t care if he holds out or not, or negotiates in bad faith, or uses every ounce of leverage to get as much money as possible. Just that when the tables turn, and a team treats you like a commodity, you don’t get to whine about.

 

[zamboni]

Cousins is currently 6th on the list in career earnings for the NFL. With his salary & bonus this year he will jump Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, and Tom Brady to be in the current top 3. Remains to be seen if he can catch Stafford at #2 (he likely won't catch Rodgers at #1 unless he manages to play for quite a few more years.) No matter what you think of him, he has been the GOAT at extracting maximum $$$ out of contract negotiations especially considering he was on a late round pick rookie salary for the first 4 of his 13 seasons.

Kirk's and Chase Daniels' agents should have their own wing in the Agent Hall of Fame.

 

[Da Franchise]

Kirk Cousins felt 'misled' after Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

I understand he's a competitor beyond what we can comprehend, but he sure complains a lot for a guy who has multigenerational wealth whereby even his grandkids (and perhaps beyond) are probably set up for life financially.

Wut? When?

Dudes career was him getting one year extensions after being drafted behind the new GOAT RG3 and managing to keep those Washington teams competitive. Name me one other player treated like he was by Wash. Then get goes to Vikings and I don't remember any complaints out of him. Then he signs a huge contract without being told the teams plans and he says he was "mislead" and suddenly he's complaining a lot?

Just an awful take.

Your take is just as awful. This guy has demanded every single red cent in every situation throughout his entire career. He has done it in an aw shucks kind of way and therefore avoided a lot of criticism, but if you ignore his comments and focus on his actions, you won’t find a more selfish player in terms of how they handle their business.

And you know what? That is all completely fine. Got no problem with guys getting paid. Not at all. But it’s a double edged sword and you don’t get to conduct your business the way he has his whole career and then turn around and cry about the Falcons doing whatever they think is best for their franchise.

Door swings both ways. Kirk needs to STFU.

Players go for the highest dollar value or for winning a championship (more money during the playoffs along with the prestige). Cousins trying to secure a long term contract is a totally normal thing for any player to do. Washington hitting him with the tag repeatedly didn't give him that "generational wealth" you talk about (especially not by today's standards). Like everyone else at his position he wanted to get paid.

And he shut up when he got a contract he wanted. If he complained in Minn I don't remember it. So you've got the start of his career where the team that drafted him wouldn't extend him at his price or trade him putting the tag on him repeatedly, something I don't believe has happened to any QB in the past 30 years which he didn't like. Then the middle of his career where he got the contract he wanted...Crickets. Then the end of his career the team that signed him didn't tell him they planned to grab a QB in the first and he was obviously upset about that.

Sounds like you just don't like the dude to me.

Side question - how do you feel about Eli Manning? I'm genuinely interested to see if there's a difference between your take on the two.

Bro you need to reread what I wrote and then probably do it a couple more times, because nothing you just said address my comments.

I have no problem whatsoever with how he’s handled negotiations throughout his career. I am very pro-player. Game is brutal, they should fight for every dollar. And he never was a squeaky wheel in Washington or Minnesota. This would be that “aw shucks” I mentioned. He knows how to present himself in the media.

I’m a Wash fan, extremely aware of the back and forth in his negotiations and tags. We low balled him, he called our bluff, then he used the upper hand to leverage into two huge cash years on the tag and a massive contract in Minnesota. He shows up as 6th all time in career earnings anywhere I check and pretty sure will be 3rd after this season. And that’s fine, good for him. I’m not bitter he left Wash either. We mismanaged him just as much as he worked us.

*the whole point* is if you do all of that ^, and a franchise signs you, pays you a **** load more$$, then decides they want to draft a guy to replace you the next day, you gotta shut up about it. I don’t want to hear one single word. Just shut the **** up while the leopards eat your face because you’ve been the leopard your whole life.

So basically every NFL player should shut up if something happens they don't like?

He's a leopard because players are empowered, but when he finds himself blindsided he should become a lamb. I'm genuinely not following this logical train.

I think what bothers me the most is it's a valid comment on his situation and not in any shape or form critical of the player. This is what I want to hear from a QB who wants to start games. He wants to start, he doesn't like it when he isn't, but it's the team and not the guy replacing him.

Just what is the problem here?

It’s a pretty simple concept. Turnabout is fair play. If you treat teams as commodities your whole career, you don’t get to whine about it when they do the same to you.

Shoes and feet
Turnabout
Golden rule
Rocks and glass houses
Pots and kettles

There’s a lot of sayings for this and they all mean the same thing.

 

[darksideofoz]

Answering a reporter's question isn't the same as whining.

 

[menobrown]

Two things on Cousins:

*Atlanta did him dirty and 180 opposite of how KOC and the Vikings dealt with him. Cousins has spoken about how upfront KOC was during the process, telling him they wanted him back in 2024 but they were going to try and draft a QB of the future and Cousins would be year to year with them. That's why he uprooted and went to Atlanta for at least 2 years of security/pay. I have no doubt had Atlanta been more upfront with him about it he'd have passed and remained a Viking. I follow an ex-agent, Joel Corry, on X/twitter and he's a lot more candid about it then I'm being. Labeling the Falcons as being fraudulent in their dealings with him, citing their pursuit of Watson when Ryan was under contract and saying he'd advise future players to use that as leverage and saying he'd F the Falcons the first chance he got.....If there is good news for Cousins he probably got more pay for this year then he'd have fetched on the open market.


*Season two of that QB shot on Netflix has been a bit boring and he's a big part of it. Getting to know Kirk a little better in that first season of that show was interesting but he's not that interesting, I've seen enough.

 

[Gally]

What you’re missing is that playing on the tag wasn’t a sacrifice,

It is 100% a sacrifice. He has no guarantees on that tag. He gets a catastrophic injury playing on a franchise tag and his career is over and he gets no follow on FA contract. That is the sacrifice. The player is gambling on two things with the franchise tag. First, that he plays well. Second, that he doesn't get injured. Doing that multiple years is a huge sacrifice or maybe better stated as a risk. Either way it's a huge risk/sacrifice.

 

[Gally]

you don’t get to whine about it when they do the same to you.

He didn't whine. He answered a question with his honest feelings. Big difference.

 

[JohnnyU]

From the words of Michael Corleone, "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business."

 

[Da Franchise]

What you’re missing is that playing on the tag wasn’t a sacrifice,

It is 100% a sacrifice. He has no guarantees on that tag. He gets a catastrophic injury playing on a franchise tag and his career is over and he gets no follow on FA contract. That is the sacrifice. The player is gambling on two things with the franchise tag. First, that he plays well. Second, that he doesn't get injured. Doing that multiple years is a huge sacrifice or maybe better stated as a risk. Either way it's a huge risk/sacrifice.

I live in DC. Listened to two plus years of the back and forth of negotiations every single day from our beat coverage and radio guys. He wasn’t sacrificing, he made a calculated bet at first and then squeezed the team as much as possible every step of the way from there. Then he squeezed Minnesota every chance he got. It’s just how he does business.

You’re presenting it like he didn’t want to be on the tag. He very much did. Pretty much insisted on it.