Kirk Cousins on potential 'beef' with the Falcons

From the Falcons perspective, they are potentially staring at the answers at the quarterback position for the next 15-20 years. Kirk Cousins being the present, and Michael Penix Jr. being the future. That’s a helluva lot better than what they’ve had over the last couple of seasons with Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke.

If this works out, the Falcons will be competing in the NFC for the next two decades. It’s an exciting proposition for the fan base, who hasn’t seen its team in the postseason since 2017. However, for the actual two quarterbacks, it’s an understandably difficult position to be dropped into.

Kirk Cousins wasn’t expecting the Falcons to take a quarterback with their first draft pick just weeks after handing him a four-year contract. It was an unprecedented move that caught him off guard and understandably frustrated the veteran QB.

From Penix’s perspective, he probably would have rather stepped into a situation where there was a path to start immediately, like the rest of the quarterbacks in this draft class. As things stand now, it might be a couple of years before he even takes a snap, and what happens if Kirk Cousins balls out and the Falcons make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons? Would Atlanta really consider moving on from him in favor of Penix, who has yet to take a meaningful snap?

That’s a genuine possibility, one that may result in Penix not starting for 3+ years. It’s not an ideal scenario for either quarterback, but both of them appear to be ready for the challenges ahead, not worried about what they can’t control.

On the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast with former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, Kirk Cousins talked about some of those factors that aren’t in his control, and how he’s focused solely on the things he can.