The Atlanta Falcons select quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the NFL draft. Current Kirk Cousins ​​Camp Had No Idea About Surprise Move

The Atlanta Falcons surprised the NFL world Thursday by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft.

The move has NFL observers talking given the Falcons’ obvious defensive needs and the fact that the team recently signed Kirk Cousins ​​to a huge contract to become their new starting quarterback.

In March, Cousins, 36, signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million in guarantees with Atlanta, in a move seemingly intended to correct a few years of disappointment.

However, when the Falcons’ first pick in this year’s draft arrived, the team decided to add a young player to the quarterback roster in the form of Penix Jr.

Before the pick was announced, Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney posted onformerly known as Twitter: “About to be shocked.” »

McCartney later told NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo that the pick “was a big surprise” to Cousins’ camp.

“We didn’t know this was going to happen. The truth is the whole league had no idea this was going to happen,” McCartney said. “We have no information. Kirk received a call from the Falcons while they were on the clock. This is the first time we heard it. This never came up in conversations. »

Speaking to the media after the first round, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris made a point of emphasizing that Cousins ​​was their starting quarterback.

They also expressed excitement about having someone to help them win now in former Minnesota Vikings QB, while also being able to build for the future with Penix Jr.

The front office duo explained that the decision was made because they hope not to be as close to the top of the draft in future years, and that they thought it was best to take advantage of their top 10 to address future quarterback options.

Morris said Cousins’ reaction to being informed the team would select Penix Jr. would remain private.

“He was called on the clock, obviously, because of the sensitive timing with the issues with what was going on,” Morris said.

“It’s never a good time to talk to a quarterback about these things. And reactions will always be private when it comes to these things, unless Kirk decides to tell you some of these things, whatever they are.

“But he’s a competitor, like all of us. And you can always expect these things to turn out the way you think they will.

“The Green Bay Model”

Both Fontenot and Morris referred to the “Green Bay model” as evidence of their quarterback strategy Thursday.

The Packers did something similar in 2020 when they drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round, despite having Aaron Rodgers on the books.

Rodgers publicly complained about the selection, but it seemed to inspire him, with the now New York Jets QB going on to win back-to-back MVP awards while Love remained on the sidelines.

When Rodgers left for New York in 2023, Love took over the starting role after three seasons as a backup and found immediate success, guiding the Packers to the playoffs in his first season at the helm.

Love started all 17 games and completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns.

The Falcons are hoping a similar tactic works for them now that Cousins ​​and Penix Jr. are part of the franchise.

“You’re talking about a guy who’s had a lot of success in the National Football League (in Cousins), and you’re talking about a young guy coming into the league (in Penix),” Morris said.

“(Penix) is going to be hungry. He will want to learn and just have a certain desire to sit down and learn. I watched Kirk do it. Now it’s Michael’s turn to do it.

“You can’t blame that on Kirk. Kirk’s job is simply to be a professional. Kirk will show him the way by carrying out his daily tasks every day, and Michael will have the chance to see it for himself. I think it’s a really good thing for a young player.

Penix Jr. is coming off two exceptional seasons with Washington. Last year, he was the first FBS player to pass for more than 4,500 yards in consecutive seasons since Patrick Mahomes did it in 2015-16.

Although the 24-year-old enters the league with obvious qualities, his durability is a question mark after suffering four season-ending injuries at Indiana before moving to Washington.

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