The Atlanta Falcons made the most stunning decide of the primary spherical within the 2024 NFL Draft, deciding on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 general decide. For the reason that Falcons already signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, they weren’t anticipated to take a quarterback within the first spherical of this yr’s draft.
Cousins was reportedly unaware that the Falcons had been drafting Penix No. 8 general, per NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah.
“I simply reached out to his agent in Mike McCartney, and I am positive Ian (Rapaport) has talked to him, as properly. He was not given a heads up,” Jeremiah mentioned on the NFL Community broadcast of the draft. “Kirk Cousins was not given actually a heads up on this complete factor.”
In line with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Cousins was conscious the Falcons had been concerned about a quarterback, however was “shocked” by the group taking Penix within the first spherical.
“The Falcons referred to as Kirk Cousins once they had been on the clock, and a league supply indicated that Cousins understood a quarterback can be thought of by the Falcons in some unspecified time in the future within the draft. Nevertheless, he didn’t imagine his potential successor can be taken within the first spherical, leaving him shocked. Cousins’ offseason acquisition by the Falcons would possibly go down as the costliest smokescreen in sports activities historical past,” Russini reported.
It is unclear if the Falcons intend for Penix and Cousins to battle it out for the beginning job or in the event that they plan to have Penix be taught behind Cousins to start his profession. Whereas the Falcons did herald Cousins, he’s going to be 36 years previous by the point the 2024 season begins and is coming off a torn achilles. It does make sense for the Falcons to usher in a backup possibility and/or draft their quarterback of the longer term, however it’s nonetheless stunning that they took Penix No. 8 general once they had different group wants.
What makes the transfer additional stunning is the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million with $100 million assured. Given their funding in Cousins for 4 years and the truth that Penix is already turning 24 years previous this season, will probably be fascinating to see how the Falcons handle the 2 quarterbacks going ahead.
It might appear doubtless that Cousins will nonetheless be the Falcons’ starter to start the 2024 season as long as he’s absolutely again from his achilles damage and the Falcons will give Penix time to be taught. Cousins has been one of many higher NFL beginning quarterbacks throughout his time with the Vikings, together with not too long ago main the group to the playoffs within the 2022-23 season.
With Cousins becoming a member of an offense that already options operating again Bijan Robinson, broad receiver Drake London, and tight finish Kyle Pitts, the Falcons ought to be able to take care of Cousins on the helm in 2024. His long-term future with the Falcons seems rather more up within the air than earlier than the NFL Draft started following this decide.
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Newsweek is dedicated to difficult typical knowledge and discovering connections within the seek for widespread floor.