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Kirk Cousins Showed Utmost Class As A Leader During Powerful Moment With Michael Penix Jr.

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Kirk Cousins is a competitor and would prefer to be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. However, he is getting paid a lot of money not to take big hits in a backup role and continues to be one of the best leaders in the NFL as a mentor to rookie Michael Penix Jr.

The 36-year-old continues to epitomize class, even though this year did not go according to plan.

Cousins was benched for Penix after a 7-7 start to his 13th year in the league. Although he threw for 3,508 yards on a 66.9% completion rate, his 16 interceptions were just two shy of his 18 touchdowns. That won’t work. As a result, the Falcons turned to the No. 8 overall pick.

Kirk Cousins’ support has not wavered!

Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards with an interception in his first start. Atlanta won 34-7 against an awful New York Giants team. Head coach Raheem Morris was thrilled with the performance, even though his new quarterback’s stat line was not too dissimilar from those of Cousins.

He went out and played almost flawless football. He kept the game really clean.

— Raheem Morris

It is expected that Cousins will play elsewhere in 2025. The Falcons are going to cut him prior to March 17 when he is owed a roster bonus of $10 million. In the meantime, he is still extremely valuable as a leader and Penix is grateful to learn from such a great teammate.

One particular moment from Sunday was extremely powerful. It presents Kirk Cousins as a tremendous friend, counselor and man of faith. He took a moment right before pregame warmups to lead Penix in prayer and showed his support with a firm pat on the back while running out onto the field second.

Not everybody in this same situation would show this much class. Cousins continues to be one of the most kind and humble players in the NFL— even when things don’t go his way.