Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins didn”t expect the Atlanta Falcons to draft a quarterback with their 8th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They chose former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Sports Illustrated”s Albert Breer said Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings because “the Vikings were very upfront with the 35-year-old about the possibility that, even in the case he stayed, they”d take a quarterback of the future high in the draft.” Despite moving to a new team, the Falcons did the same thing.
Breer added that Minnesota told Cousins this while only offering “to guarantee part, but not all, of a second year on another contract,” leading Cousins to conclude that “if he stayed, there was a good shot that he”d be on the move in 2025.”
Kirk Cousins went to the Falcons who drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 😳
Atlanta”s choice of Penix was surprising. Many thought he could be drafted later, and the Falcons had already addressed their quarterback needs by signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal.
The Falcons defended drafting Penix, saying they didn”t have a backup plan after trading away their former quarterback, Matt Ryan, in 2022. “We were always looking aggressively for the heir apparent, the down-the-road, the solution at that position [after Ryan],” explained Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith last week. “… It”s the most important position in all sports, and it”s the most expensive position in all sports. … We went from a time of uncertainty in January at that position to we feel really good for, like I said, minimum five years.”
Cousins learned of the Falcons” decision when they were about to select Penix with the 8th pick. Penix spoke to Cousins afterward, and the two had “a very good conversation.”
Though Cousins” start with the Falcons isn”t smooth, he still gives them a chance at reaching their first playoff spot since 2017.
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