Who knew a fourth-round pick quarterback would break leaps and bounds to create Falcons’ history? Yes, we’re talking about Kirk Cousins. It “came as a surprise” to Cousins when he got to know that he’s getting traded for Alex Smith. Cousins played on a franchise tag in the last two seasons of his time at Washington. But now, it was his time to go.

The Redskins couldn’t wrap their heads around giving Kirk Cousins a third franchise tag that amounted to a one-year $34.5 million deal. The only option left was to let Kirk Cousins hit the free agency while the Washington team looked for options. They found Alex Smith. In return, they gave the Chiefs a third-round pick and CB Kendall Fuller. Former Redskins coach Jay Gruden is regretting that trade after watching Cousins ball out against the Bucs tonight.

Gruden recalled the 2018 trade and took to X saying, “At least we got a 3rd round supplemental draft pick for Kirk.” As a result of the trade and the NFL clause that says, “compensatory picks are awarded to teams that lose more or better compensatory free agents than they acquire,” the Redskins for a 3 round pick (96 overall) in the 2019 draft.

But it was about Kirk Cousins’ “freedom.” He didn’t want to drag the negotiations until he knew he was going to get the franchise tag, or otherwise. Washington was losing time and money over negotiations and coach Gruden asked Kirk Cousins not to drag it anymore.

“Coach Gruden called me the next day and communicated that my desire to draw the process out through March was going to make it tough on them,” Cousins said, per ESPN. “They couldn’t afford to wait, so they had to make a move. They wanted to do a deal, but because I wanted to go a little longer, it put them in a tough spot. So, they made the trade. I understood that. He said, ‘I wish you all the best. We had a good run and look forward to seeing you in the future.'”

Minnesota came in the picture and gave Cousins a 3-year $84 million deal in 2018 and Cousins chose to stay there. He gained their trust by balling out for 3 consecutive seasons. So, Minnesota gave him another 2-year $66 million extension in 2020 and a one year $35 million deal in 2022. Cousins had a great run. But after his season ending Achilles injury in 2023, it was again time to move on.

Kirk Cousins is having a ball at Atlanta

Kirko Chainz arrived with the biggest deal of his life with the Falcons. They didn’t waste much time and gave him a 5-year $180 million deal in the 2024 off season. It might have been Arthur Blank’s best decision of the year. The quarterback didn’t disappoint. As of the week 5 game against the Buccaneers, the Falcons are having a 3-2 run and Kirk Cousins just broke Matt Ryan’s 8-year-old record tonight.

The 36-30 OT win was thrilling. Cousins did all the right things and threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 72.4% of his passes against the Buccaneers. Thanks to the talented squad around him. Matt Ryan, who earned the Ring of Honor at halftime tonight did the same thing back in 2016 in a 48-33 win against the Carolina Panthers.

During the game, a commentator called Cousins and Matt Ryan’s situation to be “poetic.” Perhaps he was right.