Schefter: Falcons HC ‘Truly Loved’ Michael Penix Jr. Despite Kirk Cousins Contract

Adam WellsApril 26, 2024

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Even though the Atlanta Falcons stunned the world by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, it was not a choice they arrived at lightly.

Appearing on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt (starts at 1:40 mark), ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Falcons head coach Raheem Morris “truly loved the prospect” Penix was.

Among the many reasons the Falcons’ decision caught everyone off guard is because they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency on March 13.

Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Cousins was “a bit stunned” by the pick.

Dianna Russini @DMRussiniThe Falcons called Kirk Cousins when they were on the clock to let him know.
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.

Schefter did note one reason for the pick is because the organization “was haunted” by all of the quarterbacks it has used over the past two seasons since trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts and wanted to build in some insurance.

Cousins will turn 36 on Aug. 19 and is coming off a torn Achilles suffered on Oct. 29. He’s otherwise been extremely durable throughout his career, but his age also means injuries could be more likely to occur.

Depending on how things go with Cousins, the Falcons can get out of his deal after two seasons. There is no guaranteed money left on his contract following the 2025 season.

It may not be the best use of cap and draft resources to double down on quarterbacks like they did, but if the Falcons believe they can be successful with Cousins in the short term before Penix takes over, it might be smart to invest in the most important position on the field like this.

We won’t know how their strategy pays off for some time. In the moment, though, it’s hard to see how this does anything to help the Falcons improve their chances of competing for a playoff spot in 2024.