- Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract earlier this offseason.
- The team then selected Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the draft.
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Michael Penix Jr. has revealed that he had a “good conversation” with Kirk Cousins following the Atlanta Falcons’ controversial decision to sign both quarterbacks.
Just over a month since they gave Cousins, 35, a four-year, $180 million contract, the Falcons surprised both their newest recruit and football fans by selecting Penix with the eighth overall pick in the This week’s NFL draft.
Atlanta was expected to use the pick to increase its pass rush, only to produce a major surprise by selecting the 23-year-old former Huskies star, who led Washington to the national championship game last season.
Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy led criticism of the Falcons online, calling the team “unserious people” and “idiots” for drafting Penix.
Amid the controversy, reports from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and others also claimed that Cousins himself was surprised to find out that Penix would be chosen while the Falcons were on the clock.
Michael Penix Jr. (right) has revealed that he had a “good conversation” with Kirk Cousins (left)
Penix Jr. was selected by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract in Atlanta last month, was surprised by the move.
However, according to Penix, the quarterback duo has already cleared the air since their draft selection on Thursday.
“I’m going to keep it between me and him right now,” he said Friday at the Falcons’ facility.
“But it was definitely a good conversation and I’m very excited to work with him, and he said it’s the same with me.”
The Cousins camp is said to have been left frustrated with the Falcons for seemingly using their first-round pick to acquire his long-term successor instead of strengthening in other areas for the 2024 season.
However, the veteran NFL star’s agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN that his client understands the business and is now ready to move forward.
“They called him on the clock, obviously because of the delicate timing with the issues of what’s going on,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said of Cousins on Thursday night.
“It’s never the right time to talk to a quarterback about those things, and reactions will always be private when it comes to those things, unless Kirk decides to tell you some of those things, whatever they may be.
But he is a competitor, like all of us. And you can always hope that things turn out just the way you think.
But Penix Jr. says he already spoke with Cousins after the controversial draft
The Falcons also focused on offensive playmakers with their final three first-round picks. Tight end Kyle Pitts was the fourth overall pick in 2021, followed by wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, each No. 8, the last two years.
Penix, who will turn 24 as a rookie, led FBS schools with 4,903 passing yards and was third with 36 touchdown passes. He won the Maxwell Award as the country’s best player.
“If I’m not on the field right away, I’m learning,” he added. “But at the same time, I’m still going to prepare as if I’m going to be on that field, because you never know what can happen.” You never know when your number is called, but you should be prepared.
“So, for my part, I will do everything I can to be ready on Day 1. I will continue to put in the same work.” I’m going to prepare, I’m going to work as if I were the starter.’