Kirk Cousins reached out to Michael Penix Jr. on draft night
While the Atlanta Falcons were on the clock with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they called starting veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to tell him that they were about to draft his successor. The Falcons then selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Cousins knew the Falcons were going […]
While the Atlanta Falcons were on the clock with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they called starting veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to tell him that they were about to draft his successor.
The Falcons then selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins knew the Falcons were going to draft his future replacement but he was "stunned" to see them do it in Round 1.
Despite his initial shock — just like the rest of the country who tuned in on Thursday night– Cousins made an effort to reach out to Penix and welcome him to Atlanta.
Penix wouldn't spill the details of what Cousins said to him but said it went well.
"He did reach out. We had a very good conversation," Penix told reporters on Friday. "He reached out last night. I’m going to keep it just between me and him right now, but it was definitely a good conversation, and I’m super excited to work with him, and he said he was the same with me.”
The Falcons' decision to take Penix with their first pick was so out of left field considering the team had just signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 guaranteed at the start of NFL free agency.
That means Penix, who will turn 24 on May 8, will spend the first few years of his NFL career learning the ropes from Cousins.
“I’m here to do whatever I can to help this team win football teams," Penix said. "That’s the biggest thing for me. I love winning, and I’m a team guy. That’s what I’m going to be in the locker room. Kirk, he’s an amazing guy.
"I actually watched the [Netflix’s] Quarterback series with him. And seeing he’s a man of faith, just like me, he’s all about his family. I really enjoyed that. I’m super blessed to able to be in the room with him and to be able to work with him and learn from him and support him as he continues his career.”
