The Atlanta Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall choice of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday cast doubt on Kirk Cousins’ future with the franchise.
The Atlanta Falcons’ top player, Kirk Cousins, has received assurances that he will remain in that role even after the team selected Michael Penix Jr. in the NFL Draft.
When the Falcons selected quarterback Penix, 23, with their eighth overall pick in the NFL, both fans and experts were in disbelief. Shortly after Cousins, 35, signed a large, four-year contract worth $180 million (£142.4 million) in March, speculation about his future position began.
The Falcons’ decision to select Penix surprised Cousins, especially since his agent disclosed that they were unaware of the choice until the very last moment.
Head coach Raheem Morris has stated unequivocally that Cousins remains their guy, even in light of the surprising draft selection. Come 2024, he will be leading the QB in completions without having to worry about any slip-up or misdirected pass.
Morris stated, “We made a decision, and this is what we intend to do,” according to an ESPN interview. Additionally, Kirk does not need to check himself every time he mispasses. Like, that’s just not true. I’m aware that I will have to clarify to you folks a few times that this is untrue.
We come here to win, to win everything, as it were. Our goal is to gain as much victory as possible.”
Mike McCartney, the cousins’ agent, was taken aback by Atlanta’s selection of Penix. According to McCartney, “We had no idea this was coming,” to the NFL Network. “To be honest, nobody in the league knew this was going to happen. We were not warned. The Falcons called Kirk while they were in overtime. The first thing we heard was that. It was never discussed in any dialogue.”
Cousins contacted Penix after overcoming his first disbelief at Atlanta’s decision. A “very good conversation” was confirmed by the latter, who added, “I’m super excited to work with him, and he said he’s the same with me.”
In the NFL, Cousins is a renowned figure. Three years after being selected by Washington in the 2012 NFL Draft, he started for the team as quarterback. The four-time Pro Bowler then joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.
A massive $45 million (£35.6 million) a year compensation lured Cousins away from Minnesota last month, making him one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL. He will make a minimum of $100 million (£79.1 million) from his four-year, $180 million contract.
When Penix takes over as the starting quarterback for the Falcons after Cousins finishes his contract as a starter, he will be 28 years old. To put that into perspective, Patrick Mahomes is 28 years old right now.
