Kirk Cousins revealed in his introductory press convention with the Atlanta Falcons final month that tight finish Kyle Pitts joked that he was prepared at hand off the No. 8 jersey if it meant he can be focused extra.
And the previous Minnesota Vikings quarterback would’ve fortunately made that trade if it hadn’t been for the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks throughout a information convention Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Flowery Department, Georgia. Cousins has one playoff victory in his lengthy profession. The Falcons are betting at the least $100 million that he is the man who can make them the primary Tremendous Bowl title in franchise historical past. (AP Picture/Mike Stewart)
Throughout a current look on “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” Cousins mentioned that protecting the No. 8 jersey would’ve been a expensive transfer after the league stepped in to tell each Pitts and Cousins that they must each minimize a test to cowl the jerseys that already existed.
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“[Pitts] wanted to switch numbers anyway, so it was like a perfect fit,” Cousins mentioned.
“And then the league spoke into it. They were like ‘Well, Kyle Pitts has a lot of jerseys that are No. 8 with Pitts on the back. You would have to buy every single one.’
Kyle Pitts, #8 of the Atlanta Falcons, stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 22, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
NBA legend Shaquille O’ Neal rapidly jumped in to say he would by no means pay for a quantity, particularly after listening to what it could’ve price Cousins.
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“It was a giant quantity. And I used to be like ‘I don’t need to write that test. I’m good, I’m comfortable.’”
He estimated, “It was a number of hundred thousand.”
Cousins will instead wear No. 18 next season when he steps on the field for Atlanta – a place he hopes will be his last.
Kirk Cousins, #8 of the Minnesota Vikings, reacts after throwing a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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The Falcons signed Cousins to a $180 million, four-year deal that includes a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million guaranteed.
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