The Atlanta Falcons bench Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr.

No primetime Cousins in Washington next week

Kirk Cousins signed a 4-year, $180 million contract with $90 million guaranteed earlier this year. The Atlanta Falcons were supposed to be the last stop in his NFL career, and a place where he could gracefully retire and raise his children.

The business of the NFL keeps moving despite a players best-laid plans, and Cousins quickly had uncertainty during his first draft with the team. He didn’t want to be in a place with a young QB breathing down his neck, but that’s exactly what he got when Atlanta shocked the world and selected Washington QB Michael Penix Jr with the 8th overall pick. Cousins was reportedly upset at the pick, but still called him the rookie and welcomed him to the team.

Cousins’ last season with the Minnesota Vikings ended with an Achilles injury, sending him into free agency as damaged goods, but he still got another big payday. His play this season hasn’t been good, leading to his benching. Cousins is 303 of 453(66.9%) for 3,508 yards with 18 TDs and 16 INTs in 14 games.

Kirk Cousins was set to return to Washington next week to play against the team that drafted him. This would have been his first game against the Commanders as a Falcon, and he could still play against them depending on how Penix Jr. does this week, but unless the rookie bombs, or get injured, Cousins will be watching from the bench.