The Atlanta Falcons accomplished the biggest challenge in the first round of the NFL Draft by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick.
Last month, they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, so everyone thought Penix wasn’t even an option.
But the Falcons appear to like the 24-year-old southpaw, as the 35-year-old Cousins is returning from an Achilles injury.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, 8, watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions on Sunday, January 7, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. ). (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Granted, franchise quarterbacks usually know what happens with top-10 picks. But apparently the Falcons and Cousins didn’t have much conversation about the pick.
During the NFL Network broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah said he contacted Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, and was told that the Falcons’ plans to acquire Penix were kept secret from Cousins.
“Kirk Cousins was never informed about this.” Jeremiah said..
Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws an interception during the CFP National Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on January 8, 2024. 9 years old). (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Falcons select quarterback Michael Penix JR with draft stunner after signing Kirk Cousins
ESPN refuted the report McCartney told the outlet: “The only heads-up the Falcons gave Cousins regarding the pick…was that the team called Penix in time.”
The Athletic Cousins said he “understood” a quarterback would be considered, but didn’t believe his successor would be selected in the first round, so he was “stunned” by the selection of Penix. Reported.
This was all the more surprising given the fact that many had Penix listed as the presumptive fifth quarterback since JJ McCarthy turned out to be this year’s wild card. However, McCarthy was selected 10th overall by the Minnesota Vikings, who moved up to acquire him.
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. prepares to take the snap during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durette/Getty Images))
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It’s ironic that the Falcons acquired Penix while Cousins was recovering from a serious injury of his own. He has torn his right anterior cruciate ligament twice, once in 2018 and once with Indiana in 2020, and suffered a fractured collarbone and an AC joint separation in 2019. In 2021.
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