Penix feels ‘super blessed’ to start as Cousins’ backup in Atlanta

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. runs a passing drill as quarterbacks coach TJ Yates looks on during a rookie minicamp practice Friday in Flowery Branch, Georgia. John Bazemore/Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. insists he will have no trouble adjusting to his role as backup to the Atlanta Falcons’ new starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins.

Before taking the field Friday for rookie minicamp, Penix was greeted by Cousins ​​at the team’s practice facility. Others speculated that there might be friction between Penix, the No. 8 pick in last month’s NFL draft, and Cousins, who about a month earlier signed with Atlanta to a 180 contract. million dollars over four years with $100 million guaranteed.

“He said, ‘What’s up, man?’ » said Penix of Cousins. “He said he was happy to see me, happy to have me here. I just told him I was looking forward to working with him.

Penix added: “We are on the same team. It is not difficult to approach this relationship. We have the same goals. It’s about winning football matches. …It’s definitely going to be awesome. I’m very fortunate to be able to be here in this position with a veteran in front of me and learn from him and go about my business every day and just try to find ways to improve and get to where he East. , several years in the league.

Both quarterbacks join first-year coach Raheem Morris, who said the main goal of his first rookie camp was to help the newcomers get acclimated.

“I told the recruits together that the best way to go is to be your best self…go out there and be yourself,” Morris said. “Really, not just Penix but all those guys.”

BEAR: Caleb Williams is Chicago’s starting quarterback. Just in case there was any doubt the No. 1 draft pick is the team’s No. 1 QB, coach Matt Eberflus cleared him Friday.

“No conversation. He’s a starter,” he said.

Eberflus’ comment was hardly a surprise considering the Bears were all-in on Williams since the early stages of the draft process. They made their intentions clear when they traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh in March.

GIANTS: First-round pick Malik Nabers of LSU has signed with New York.

The Giants announced the signing of the dynamic wide receiver Friday as rookies and free agents reported for minicamp. The sixth pick in last month’s draft, Nabers got a four-year, $29.1 million contract that includes an $18 million signing bonus.

• Two-time Super Bowl winner Chris Snee returns to the New York Giants as a senior scout in the personnel department.

General manager Joe Schoen announced the hiring Friday, along with two promotions. Nick La Testa moved from professional scout to assistant director of pro scouting and Charles Tisch moved from assistant football operations to director of football administration.

Snee, a four-time Pro Bowl guard and member of the franchise’s Ring of Honor, will be involved in college and pro scouting.

THE NABERS-DANIELS BET CANCELED: Jayden Daniels believes his biggest challenge after being drafted second by Washington to become their franchise quarterback is learning how to be a pro, but he learned an important lesson before throwing his first pass in the NFL.

Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, and former LSU teammate Malik Nabers, now a wide receiver with the division-rival New York Giants four picks later, said Friday they had canceled their $10,000 bet on who would be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“We weren’t informed about the gambling policy in the NFL,” Daniels said. “We found out last night. He and I had a conversation and we called off the bet. Obviously we don’t want to get in trouble or anything.

News of the bet emerged during the players’ recent podcast appearances. Nabers brought it up first, then Daniels — after saying Nabers wasn’t supposed to talk about it — confirmed the financial implications.

CARDINALS: Arizona agreed to terms on a one-year contract with wide receiver Zay Jones on Friday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The 29-year-old played the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills. Jones had his best season in the NFL in 2022, catching 82 passes for 823 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder was a second-round draft pick out of East Carolina in 2017 by the Bills.

The Jaguars released Jones in May after the draft.

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