Kirk Cousins 'Had No Idea' Falcons Were Going to Draft Michael Penix Jr., Agent Says

Jack MurrayApril 26, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 31: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the sidelines before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Even Kirk Cousins was caught off guard by the Atlanta Falcons' selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, confirmed during Thursday's first round that the quarterback was surprised by Atlanta's decision to draft a quarterback in the first round:

Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo
From Kirk Cousins' agent Mike McCartney on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcons?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Falcons</a>' selecting QB Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. <a href="https://t.co/XpIpOQn1ua">pic.twitter.com/XpIpOQn1ua</a>

McCartney's comments come after Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Cousins "understood" that the Falcons were considering taking his successor in the draft, although he was "a bit stunned" that the franchise elected to use its first-round pick on a signal-caller.

Dianna Russini @DMRussini
The Falcons called Kirk Cousins when they were on the clock to let him know. <br>From what I learned, Cousins understood a QB would be considered but he did not believe his successor would be taken in the first round. I'm told he's a bit stunned.

Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, confirmed that the quarterback was surprised by Atlanta's decision:

Cousins signed a four-year contract worth up to $180 million in March after spending the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Atlanta made the pick despite players like Rome Odunze and Olu Fashanu still being available.

Penix was the fourth quarterback taken in the draft, with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye going 1-2-3 to start the event. Penix was rated as the No. 7 quarterback and the No. 87 overall player by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department.

Penix threw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2023 and led Washington to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the CFP National Championship.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

The concerns with Penix come with his age and his injury history. He will be 24 years old when his rookie season begins and has notably suffered multiple ACL injuries in his collegiate career.

Still, he could benefit by sitting behind Cousins for a few years in a similar way to how Jordan Love sat behind Aaron Rodgers for multiple years in Green Bay before taking over as the starter.