Falcons’ selection of Michael Penix Jr seemed to have surprised Kirk Cousins, reports say
The Atlanta Falcons pulled off the biggest surprise of the first round of the NFL Draft by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick.
Last month, they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, leaving almost everyone thinking Penix wasn’t even an option there.
But the Falcons apparently like the 24-year-old lefty, as Cousins, 35, is coming off 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 the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, 7 January 2024. (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Surely, your franchise quarterback generally knows what would happen with a top-10 pick. But apparently, the Falcons and Cousins didn’t have many conversations about the pick.
During the NFL Network broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah said he contacted Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, who told him the Falcons kept their Penix plans a secret from Cousins.
“Kirk Cousins wasn’t really informed about this whole thing.” Jeremiah said.
Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws an interception during the CFP National Championship game, Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies, Jan. 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FALCONS SELECT QB MICHAEL PENIX JR IN STUNNER DRAFT AFTER SIGNING KIRK COUSINS
ESPN refuted that report just a little: McCartney told the outlet that “the only notice the Falcons gave Cousins about the pick…Penix was a call while the team was on the clock.”
The Athletic reported that Cousins ”understood” that a quarterback would be considered, but did not believe his successor would be chosen in the first round; therefore, Penix’s selection left him “stunned.”
It was even more surprising, considering the fact that many had Penix as the presumptive fifth quarterback, as JJ McCarthy turned out to be this year’s wild card. However, McCarthy was selected 10th by the Minnesota Vikings, who moved up one spot to get him.
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. prepares for a snap during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images))
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It’s ironic that the Falcons drafted Penix while Cousins is recovering from his own serious injury: He tore his right ACL twice, once in 2018 and again in 2020 with Indiana, and had a broken collarbone in 2019 and a separation of the A/C joint. in 2021.
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