The Atlanta Falcons absolutely stunned the football world on Thursday night by drafting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington in this year’s NFL Draft.
Apparently, new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was as shocked as anybody when the team made the perplexing pick.
Multiple reports suggested that Cousins either had no idea what was coming with the Penix selection or only got advanced notice right before the pick was made.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said he reached out to Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney about the move, who said Cousins was “not given really a heads up on this whole thing.”
Daniel Jeremiah: "I just reached out to his agent, Mike McCartney, he was not given a heads up. Kirk Cousins was not given really a heads up on this whole thing." pic.twitter.com/ShfKRBR257
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 26, 2024
Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Falcons reportedly let Cousins know Penix was the pick right before the latter was drafted and that the veteran quarterback who signed with the Falcons in March is “a bit stunned.”
The 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.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 26, 2024
NFL Network reporter Jane Slater shared that a source told her Cousins is “shocked” and “disappointed” about the move.
As we all sit in shock over the Atlanta pick, a source tells me Kirk Cousins just as “shocked” and “disappointed” Never said anything to him or his reps about a QB in 1st round despite suggesting they would. Still “it’s a business”
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) April 26, 2024
Even Penix didn’t realize he was going to be the Falcons pick, per 92.9 The Game’s Joe Patrick.
Michael Penix Jr. said "I had no idea" that the #Falcons were going to be the ones to give him the call with the 8th pick.
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) April 26, 2024
The pick is going to continue to send shockwaves through the NFL all draft weekend, as it’ll be up to the Falcons to sell the pick to their fans… and apparently their high-priced veteran quarterback, too.
