Albert Breer wrote in his MMQB article this week about Kirk Cousins and his reaction to the Vikings leaving amid concerns they would draft his successor at QB. Breer confirmed these assertions today on the Pat McAfee show.
"When Kirk Cousins & the Vikings were talking about an extension they had told him they might be looking for a QB high in the draft..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 7, 2024
Kirk talked about retiring as a Falcon & never was it relayed to him that they could take a QB in the top ten" ~ @AlbertBreer #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Ldmcr1kVaK
Breer explains that this situation between the Vikings and Cousins stems as far back as last year when Minnesota's front office and Cousins first discussed an extension. The Vikings could not guarantee anything past 2024, especially with them potentially drafting a quarterback high in the last draft, as they did when they traded up for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.
Breer explains that "money was a factor, but the bigger thing for Kirk was that he wanted a contract that represented that he was going to be the starting quarterback for the next few years."
Atlanta provided a contract that guaranteed Kirk 2024, 2025 and even some of 2026. So, when the Falcons drafted Washington's Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall, without telling him beforehand, it was a bit of a shock to him and the rest of the football world.
