The Atlanta Falcons will be the third team that Kirk Cousins has played for in his NFL career.
And if the 35-year-old quarterback has his way, they will also be the last.
Appearing on The Big Podcast with Shaq, Cousins discussed his future with the Falcons as it relates to the big picture of his NFL career. And in doing so, the four-time Pro Bowl selection likened himself to the show’s host — Shaquille O’Neal — stating that he didn’t want to follow the same career path as the Hall of Fame center.
“I want this to be my final stop,” Cousins told O’Neal, via CBS Sports. “I don’t wanna do the deal — no offense, but I don’t wanna go play for the Suns and Celtics at the end. I wanna finish with the Heat, if you will, and be done.”
Like the Falcons with Cousins, the Heat marked the third team that O’Neal played for during his illustrious NBA career. But after helping lead Miami to the 2006 NBA championship, O’Neal proceeded to play for three more teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
It would seem unlikely that Cousins would play for three more teams after the Falcons, who signed the Michigan State product to a four-year, $180 million contract last month. Especially if, like O’Neal with the Heat, Cousins help lead Atlanta to the franchise’s first world championship in the years ahead.
[CBS Sports, The Big Podcast with Shaq]
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.