**Cam Newton Sounds Off on Kirk Cousins Saying He Felt Misled by the Atlanta Falcons**
The NFL offseason is never short on drama, and the latest chapter involves two veteran quarterbacks, Cam Newton and Kirk Cousins, with the Atlanta Falcons at the center of the controversy. Cousins, who signed a massive four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in free agency, recently admitted that he felt “misled” by the team after they surprisingly selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, Cam Newton—never one to shy away from speaking his mind—has weighed in on the situation, offering a blunt perspective on Cousins’ comments and the Falcons’ decision-making.
Newton, the former MVP and Panthers superstar, didn’t hold back during an episode of his *4th and 1* podcast. He questioned Cousins’ reaction, suggesting that the veteran quarterback should have seen the move coming. “At the end of the day, this is a business,” Newton said. “Kirk’s been in the league long enough to know that teams are always looking ahead. If you sign a contract, it doesn’t mean they’re married to you forever. The Falcons made a business decision, and Kirk’s acting like he didn’t know this was possible?”
Newton’s comments highlight a harsh reality in the NFL: no player, no matter how highly paid, is truly safe from being replaced. While Cousins’ contract includes $100 million in guarantees, the Falcons’ selection of Penix signals a long-term vision that may not include the 35-year-old quarterback for the entirety of his deal. Newton argued that Cousins, who has spent over a decade in the league, should understand how quickly teams pivot. “You’re telling me Kirk was *that* shocked?” Newton continued. “Come on, man. You’ve seen guys get drafted over established starters before. This ain’t new.”
The Falcons’ decision to draft Penix was one of the most surprising moves of the first round, especially since Cousins was brought in to be the immediate starter. Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have defended the pick, insisting that Penix was simply too talented to pass up and that Cousins remains their guy for the foreseeable future. But Cousins’ recent remarks suggest he wasn’t given a heads-up before the selection, which Newton found somewhat naive.
“Teams don’t owe you a warning,” Newton said. “They don’t have to call you and say, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about drafting your replacement.’ That’s not how it works. If you’re a franchise QB, you should have the confidence to compete no matter who they bring in. If you’re worried about a rookie taking your job, maybe you ain’t as secure as you thought.”
Newton knows a thing or two about the volatility of NFL careers. After leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2015 and winning MVP, injuries and organizational changes eventually led to his departure from Carolina. He had brief stints with the Patriots and a return to the Panthers before ultimately stepping away from the game (though he hasn’t officially retired). His perspective comes from firsthand experience—seeing how quickly teams move on, even from star players.
Some have argued that the Falcons handled the situation poorly by not communicating with Cousins beforehand. Former players like Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III have expressed sympathy for Cousins, suggesting that a simple conversation could have eased tensions. But Newton pushed back on that notion, emphasizing that NFL front offices operate with cold, calculated logic. “Y’all acting like this is some friendship league,” Newton said. “It’s not. Teams do what’s best for them, period. If Kirk balls out, it won’t matter who’s behind him. But if he struggles, you better believe they’ll throw the rookie in there. That’s just how it goes.”
The Falcons’ quarterback room is now one of the most intriguing in the league. Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles but was playing at a high level before the injury, throwing for 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions in eight games with the Vikings last season. Penix, meanwhile, was a Heisman finalist at Washington and brings elite arm talent, though his injury history (four season-ending injuries in college) raises some concerns. Newton believes the pressure is now squarely on Cousins to perform.
“This is Kirk’s team right now, no question,” Newton said. “But if he starts slow or gets hurt again, the fans will be calling for Penix. That’s the nature of the beast. You’ve got to produce, or they’ll find someone who will.”
Newton also took a shot at the Falcons’ overall decision-making, questioning whether drafting Penix was the right move for a team that seems ready to compete now. “They paid Kirk all that money to win immediately, then turn around and draft a QB who might not play for two or three years?” Newton said. “Either you’re rebuilding or you’re trying to win. Pick one.”
The Falcons have insisted that they can do both—compete with Cousins while developing Penix for the future. But Newton isn’t buying it. “That’s a risky game,” he said. “You’re either all-in on Kirk, or you’re planning for life after him. Doing both just creates unnecessary drama.”
As for Cousins, Newton’s advice was simple: “Stop complaining and go ball out. Prove why they had no business drafting a QB that high. If you play well, none of this matters.”
The situation will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the 2024 season. Will Cousins silence the doubters and lead the Falcons to the playoffs? Or will the Penix pick loom over the franchise, creating tension at the first sign of struggle? Newton’s take is clear: Cousins shouldn’t be surprised, and he shouldn’t be making excuses. In the NFL, your job is never safe—no matter who you are.
Love him or hate him, Cam Newton always speaks with unfiltered honesty. And in this case, his message to Kirk Cousins is a reminder that in the cutthroat world of professional football, the only real security comes from performance. Anything else is just wishful thinking.
