Kirk Cousins stunned by Falcons' decision to take QB Michael Penix Jr.
The award for the most surprising pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft must go to the Atlanta Falcons, who surprised everyone on Thursday night by taking Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. The Falcons were so secretive about their choice that they didn't even let Kirk Cousins know it was going to happen. During the draft broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media revealed that Cousins and his camp had no idea the Falcons were going to take a quarterback with their first pick. Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, clarified via NFL Network that the Penix selection was "a big surprise." "We had no idea it was coming. The truth is the whole league had no idea it was coming.
We didn't turn heads. Kirk got a call from the Falcons while on the clock. That's the first we heard. It didn't come up in any conversation." The Falcons tried to patch things up by calling a shocked cousin while on the clock to tell him about the pick, but that didn't help matters, according to The Athletic . The award for the most surprising pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft must go to the Atlanta Falcons, who surprised everyone Thursday night by taking Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick, according to NFL Media. The Falcons were so secretive about their choice that they even let Kirk Cousins know. Didn't give a damn that it was going to happen. During the draft broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media revealed that Cousins and his camp had no idea the Falcons were going to take a quarterback with their first pick. Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, clarified via NFL Network that the Penix selection was "a big surprise." "We had no idea it was coming. The truth is the whole league had no idea it was coming. We didn't turn heads. Kirk got a call from the Falcons while on the clock. That's the first we heard. It didn't come up in any conversation." The Falcons tried to patch things up by calling a shocked cousin while on the clock to tell him about the pick, but that didn't help matters, according to The Athletic . According to NFL Media, Cousins was "shocked" and "disappointed" by Atlanta's decision to take the quarterback.
It's easy to see why Cousins was so surprised. The Falcons signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract in March, so there was every reason to think he was going to be Atlanta's undisputed starting quarterback for the next few years, but now, the Falcons have thrown a wrench into things with only $90 million in guaranteed money in Cousins' contract. Included, so the Falcons would be able to get out of it after just two seasons if they decide they want to move to Penix. Not to mention, Penix is a solid insurance policy for Cousins, who missed most of the 2023 season with a torn Achilles.
The decision to take Penix with the eighth overall pick was a bold move by the Falcons, but it's one that's sure to create some drama in Atlanta. Can. Nora was "shocked" and "disappointed". It's easy to understand why the cousins were so surprised. The Falcons signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract in March, so there was every reason to think he was going to be Atlanta's undisputed starting quarterback for the next few years, but now, the Falcons have thrown a wrench into things with only $90 million in guaranteed money in Cousins' contract. Included, so the Falcons would be able to get out of it after just two seasons if they decide they want to move to Penix.