For veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, the 2024 NFL season took an unexpected turn and had a significant impact at home. It was anticipated that Cousins would be the leader under center after he inked a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March.
However, as the Falcons battled for a postseason berth in the latter stages, the team took a risk by benching Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Behind the Scenes of the Benching, Kirk Cousins Supporting Michael Penix Jr.
Although the move generated a lot of discussion and headlines, Cousins and his family experienced emotional turmoil behind closed doors. In an episode of “Quarterback,” his wife Julie gave a candid and impactful glimpse at their reactions to the news.
“It was just a very somber night,” she said. “Then he came back and sat in the garage. When I went out there, he was actually calling Michael, which I thought was really cool. I mean, who does that? You just drove home from one of the hardest conversations you’ve ever had, and you’re going to call the guy who’s replacing you and say, ‘The job is yours.’ That brings tears to my eyes. That’s the kind of man he is.”
Kirk Cousins’ wife, Julie, got emotional discussing when he found out he was being benched — and how moving it was for her hearing Kirk call Michael Penix Jr. that night to tell him the starting job was now his.
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For Cousins, the benching had nothing to do with friction in the locker room or injuries. Raheem Morris, the head coach, made it plain that the choice was solely based on football. Cousins led the league in interceptions (16) and faltered in the second half after a great start to the season. The Falcons believed it was time to test what their rookie could do as the playoff chase heated up.
Under Contract for the Next Three Seasons, Cousins To Support As Backup
When Cousins signed his high-profile contract, which included a $100 million guarantee, neither the team nor he ever expected this outcome. Nevertheless, he managed to remain composed despite the disappointment. Julie’s narrative depicts a man who cares more about helping others than he does about wallowing.
Cousins continued to take the lead behind the scenes and accepted his backup role. He remained composed and supportive of Penix Jr. That’s part of the reason why he’s such an admired figure in every locker room he’s been in.
Penix Jr. is anticipated to continue starting in 2025, with Cousins filling in as the backup.