Kirk Cousins Reportedly ‘Stunned’ Atlanta Falcons Took QB Michael Penix Jr. in First Round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons made the most shocking pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. Since the Falcons already signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, they were not expected to take a quarterback in the first round of this year’s draft.

Cousins was reportedly unaware that the Falcons were drafting Penix No. 8 overall, per NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.

“I just reached out to his agent in Mike McCartney, and I’m sure Ian (Rapaport) has talked to him, as well. He was not given a heads up,” Jeremiah said on the NFL Network broadcast of the draft. “Kirk Cousins was not given really a heads up on this whole thing.”

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Cousins was aware the Falcons were interested in a quarterback, but was “stunned” by the team taking Penix in the first round.

“The Falcons called Kirk Cousins when they were on the clock, and a league source indicated that Cousins understood a quarterback would be considered by the Falcons at some point in the draft. However, he did not believe his potential successor would be taken in the first round, leaving him stunned. Cousins’ offseason acquisition by the Falcons might go down as the most expensive smokescreen in sports history,” Russini reported.

It’s unclear if the Falcons intend for Penix and Cousins to battle it out for the starting job or if they plan to have Penix learn behind Cousins to begin his career. While the Falcons did bring in Cousins, he is going to be 36 years old by the time the 2024 season begins and is coming off a torn achilles. It does make sense for the Falcons to bring in a backup option and/or draft their quarterback of the future, but it is still surprising that they took Penix No. 8 overall when they had other team needs.

What makes the move extra surprising is the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million with $100 million guaranteed. Given their investment in Cousins for four years and the fact that Penix is already turning 24 years old this season, it will be interesting to see how the Falcons manage the two quarterbacks going forward.

It would seem likely that Cousins will still be the Falcons’ starter to begin the 2024 season so long as he is fully back from his achilles injury and the Falcons will give Penix time to learn. Cousins has been one of the better NFL starting quarterbacks during his time with the Vikings, including recently leading the team to the playoffs in the 2022-23 season.

With Cousins joining an offense that already features running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons should be ready to contend with Cousins at the helm in 2024. His long-term future with the Falcons appears much more up in the air than before the NFL Draft began following this pick.