The Atlanta Falcons made a surprising choice in the opening round of the 2024 NFL draft, picking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from Washington. After agreeing to a huge four-year, $180 million deal with Kirk Cousins in the offseason, selecting Penix wasn't what many expected. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Cousins' representative, Mike McCartney, was caught off guard.
“Yes, it was a big surprise. We had no idea this was coming. The truth is the whole league had no idea this was coming,” McCartney stated. “We got no heads up, Kirk got a call from the Falcons when they were on the clock. That was the first we heard. It never came up in any conversation.”
Kirk Cousins 'Disappointed' Over Pick
Cousins, according to Jane Slater of NFL Network, felt “disappointed” that the Atlanta Falcons never informed him about their quarterback pick in the first round.
“As we all sit in shock over the Atlanta pick, a source tells me Kirk Cousins just as “shocked” and “disappointed,” Slater tweeted. “Never said anything to him or his reps about a QB in 1st round despite suggesting they would.”
Selecting a quarterback wasn't necessarily surprising, but it was unexpected that the Falcons utilized the No. 8 pick in the draft to address that need
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Cousins understood a quarterback would be considered. However, Cousins didn't believe one would be chosen in the first round.
“The Falcons called Kirk Cousins when they were on the clock to let him know. From what I learned, Cousins understood a QB would be considered but he did not believe his successor would be taken in the first round,” Russini tweeted. “I’m told he’s a bit stunned.”
Marc Raimondi of ESPN wrote that McCartney is frustrated over the Falcons not using the first-round pick to improve the team for next season.
“Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that the Falcons only notified the QB that they’d pick Penix while the team was on the clock,” Raimondi reported. “McCartney said there is frustration and confusion coming from Cousins’ camp because Atlanta did not use its first-round pick to make the team better in 2024.”
Rome Odunze, Brock Bowers, Dallas Turner, and others were still available at No. 8 and filled other needs.
Michael Penix Jr. Had Arguably ‘Best Pure Arm’ in the Draft
While the decision to draft Penix surprised Cousins, his 2023 season saw him throw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has dealt with multiple injuries, but when healthy, the left-handed 23-year-old quarterback threw for over 4,640 yards in both seasons at Washington.
Raimondi stated that the statistics were impressive and so was the performance.
“The statistics were excellent and so was the performance of Penix, who had arguably the best pure arm of any quarterback in the entire draft,” Raimondi mentioned. “But his injury history made him a major question mark for NFL teams.”
According to Raimondi, Penix understands that he’ll learn from Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons.
“He’s been in the league,” Penix said. “He’s been in there for a while. He’s played a lot of football. I feel like I’m going to come in and I’m going to learn. I’m going to learn from him.”
