Kirk Cousins has long been one of the most underappreciated quarterbacks in the National Football League.
However, his time in the Midwest is running out, as his marriage to the Minnesota Vikings ended last offseason.
Things might have been different if the 35-year-old hadn’t torn his Achilles during the season, but the writing was on the wall all season long.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings seeks a pass during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
During the offseason, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, of which $100 million is guaranteed. With the Vikings needing to pay Justin Jefferson (which they did) and the NFL’s No. 1 pick (they paid for JJ McCarthy), it’s easy to see why Minnesota would move on.
Jared Allen is happy with that.
“It reveals how it should shake out. I’m going to keep going, just because, from Kirk’s perspective, there’s nothing personal, but you have to see where the future is. Even if you have two or three years of great time, Two, Allen said on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (No. 8) during the NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on October 23, 2023 Pass the ball during the game. (Nick Wojcicka/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Larry Allen’s daughter ‘completely devastated’ by father’s death: ‘I don’t know where to go from here’
However, Allen first mentioned Sam Darnold, whom McCarthy will face in training camp, saying the 2018 third overall pick has “shown signs at times of being able to compete in this league.”
“I think with the coaching staff you have there, you make the right decisions – you invest more in the young guys, you invest more in the offense, especially now that you have McCarthy… I think they Did the right thing.
Allen also said that Cousins was not the person to lead them through the difficult situation at all.
“At the end of the day, especially from a quarterback’s perspective, you’re measured by wins and losses, Super Bowl wins, playoff wins. That’s why they’re making big money… With all the money we put in, we’re still one step away from winning a Super Bowl. Not even close.
Ironically, the Falcons still drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick, two picks ahead of the Vikings, who they hoped was their future.
Atlanta Falcons No. 9 quarterback Michael Penix Jr. conducts an offseason OTA at the Atlanta Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on May 14, 2024. Looking behind him at quarterback Kirk Cousins (No. 18) during practice. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Before his injury, Cousins was on pace to hit career highs in passing yards and touchdowns.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Gathering Newsletter.
