Kirk Cousins revealed in his introductory press conference with the Atlanta Falcons last month that tight end Kyle Pitts joked that he was willing to hand off the No. 8 jersey if it meant he would be targeted more.Â
And the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback would’ve happily made that exchange if it hadn't been for the NFL.Â
During a recent appearance on "The Big Podcast with Shaq," Cousins said that keeping the No. 8 jersey would’ve been a costly move after the league stepped in to inform both Pitts and Cousins that they would have to both cut a check to cover the jerseys that already existed.Â
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"[Pitts] wanted to switch numbers anyway, so it was like a perfect fit," Cousins said.Â
"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.’Â
NBA legend Shaquille O’ Neal quickly jumped in to say he would never pay for a number, especially after hearing what it would’ve cost Cousins.Â
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"It was a big number. And I was like ‘I don’t want to write that check. I’m good, I’m happy.’"
He estimated, "It was several hundred thousand."Â Â
Cousins will instead wear No. 18 next season when he steps on the field for Atlanta – a place he hopes will be his last.Â
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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