Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons have moved on from Kirk Cousins after releasing the quarterback shortly after the beginning of the new league year. However, it’s hard to forget his short-lived stint with the franchise.
Cousins spent only two seasons with the Falcons, but they were noteworthy — perhaps for all the wrong reasons.
Falcons fans were reminded of their time with Cousins after he appeared on Good Morning Football discussing his recent signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Kirk Cousins Appears to Reveal Raiders Draft Plans on Live TV
Cousins, who seemed excited about his new opportunity with the Raiders, made a somewhat surprising reveal on the show when talking about potential No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
Cousins seemed to erase any “potential” about the Raiders’ first-round decision.
“But I do think Fernando’s going to be a great addition to our team. I think he’s going to have a great future in the league. I have no problem being a voice in the room to kind of help him,” Cousins said.
While all signs have pointed to the Raiders making that selection, the team has not publicly confirmed anything with the draft still weeks away.
Cousins, however, may have done that for them — whether he was supposed to or not.
“He was here yesterday during his draft day visit. We were able to watch film together,” Cousins added. “So, I think he’ll be a great addition to the room.”
That kind of comment immediately raised eyebrows, considering how teams typically handle pre-draft visits and internal evaluations with much more discretion.
Falcons Fans React as Cousins’ Comments Stir Up Old Memories
Cousins’ unsolicited reveal quickly brought back some familiar frustrations for Falcons fans and media members.
“Death, taxes, Kirk Cousins accidentally revealing team activities he just signed with,” Atlanta sports reporter Miles Garrett said.
Notable Falcons X user BroTalk posted, “Still doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut.”
He later added that a current Raiders teammate of Cousins liked his tweet, though he did not reveal who it was.
Those reactions stem from a similar situation during Cousins’ time in Atlanta.
After signing his four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in 2024, Cousins inadvertently caused the team to be penalized for tampering.
“He indicated during his introductory news conference that he spoke with the Falcons’ head trainer before 4 p.m. ET on March 13, when the new league year began,” ESPN reported on June 13, 2024.
That communication occurred before the league’s allowed 52-hour free agent negotiating window. And since Cousins does not represent himself, it resulted in the Falcons losing a fifth-round draft pick and being fined $250,000 for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering policy.
“Cousins is represented by Mike McCartney, who had announced on social media two days prior to the start of the new league year that the quarterback had agreed to terms with the Falcons.”
Now, history appears to be repeating itself — at least in the eyes of Falcons fans.
Speaking of McCartney, he once again landed Cousins another lucrative deal, this time including $20 million guaranteed. Much of that financial burden, however, still falls on Atlanta, who will pay $8.7 million while the Raiders owe just $1.3 million in 2026, with an additional $10 million roster bonus due on the third day of the 2027 league year.