What Drew Brees Knows About Kirk Cousins' Situation That Most Don't

Drew Brees, who was nearly replaced by Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, empathizes with Kirk Cousins' reaction to the Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr.

In the annals of NFL history, one of the biggest "what-if" moments occurred in the 2017 NFL Draft when Drew Brees narrowly escaped being replaced by Patrick Mahomes. Seven years later, Brees can relate to Kirk Cousins' situation after the Atlanta Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Cousins in free agency.

On April 27, 2017, Brees was in the New Orleans Saints' "War Room" when head coach Sean Payton revealed his plan to draft Mahomes with the No. 11 overall pick. However, the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to select Mahomes one spot ahead of the Saints, leaving Brees to lead the team for another four seasons.

Brees believes that if Mahomes had been available at No. 11, the Saints "probably would've taken him." He understands the delicate situation that Cousins is in, where the franchise is preparing for the future while he is still expected to be the starting quarterback.

"I wouldn’t have taken offense to it," Brees said. "The organization has to do what it has to do. They have to prepare for the future."

Cousins has publicly stated that he has "no beef" with the Falcons for drafting Penix, but reports indicate that he was not informed of the move beforehand. Brees can sympathize with the frustration, having experienced a similar situation in 2017.

"Certainly, Cousins is in the position where he’s thinking to himself, ‘Hey, I’m the starter here for three, four years. Then, I’ll help develop this guy, and they’re either going to have to trade him or he’s going to replace me.’"

Brees believes that Cousins will respond in a similar manner to how he did in 2017.

"Worry about the things you can control," Brees said. "They got a talented roster – Drake London, Bijan Robinson. I think they’re going to be explosive."

Cousins will be 36 when the 2024 season begins, and the Falcons believe Penix could be their long-term franchise quarterback. Brees acknowledges that while franchises prioritize winning now, preparing for the future is crucial for sustained success.

Similar to Brees' response to the Mahomes situation, Cousins has adopted a professional attitude. He knows that he must lead the team to success while understanding that the Falcons are planning for the future.

"I don’t think there can be [hard feelings]. I don’t think it’s helpful," Cousins said. "…Let's all be on the same page and try and go win a Super Bowl."

In the end, Brees believes that Cousins will embrace the challenge and continue to perform at a high level, just as he did after Payton's draft room revelation in 2017.