Theory on Kirk Cousins’ Exit From Vikings in Free Agency Gains Steam: ‘Buy’ It.
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins got a rude awakening from his new team, the Atlanta Falcons. They selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
The Vikings had informed Cousins of their plans to select a quarterback, which they did by trading up to take J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick.
That heads-up was a key part of Cousins’ decision to leave Minnesota.
Reports about his sentiments in Atlanta continue to emerge. And the idea that Cousins left Minnesota over their plans is gaining steam. Further, there are questions about whether or not it has anything to do with Cousins wanting to help groom his replacement.
“While questions could arise if Atlanta’s decision really got under the veteran’s skin, it’s hard to deny two different reports on similar topics,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote on May 11. “It seems pretty clear that Cousins has no interest in grooming a young quarterback to eventually replace him.”
Holder says to “buy” the idea that the Vikings’ plans to draft a quarterback – McCarthy or otherwise – were the impetus to Cousins’ exit.
He points to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer’s report on Cousins’ exit from Minnesota.
