Kirk Cousins opens up on relationship with Michael Penix Jr. since NFL Draft

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is looking forward to working with Michael Penix Jr. this season. While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Cousins was asked about his relationship with the rookie QB who was taken by the Falcons at No. 8 overall in the draft.

“Mike’s been great. Always going to be competition in this league,” Cousins said. “You always got to go out and earn it. I’m going to control what I can control and also understand there’s a lot you don’t control. I learned a long time ago that you got to focus on what you can control.”

When Penix was selected by the Falcons, it shocked everyone, including Cousins who signed with the Falcons on a four-year $180 million contract in March. Once the first round of the draft concluded, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot explained the team’s QB situation moving forward.

“Kirk Cousins is our quarterback,” Fontenot said, per the Falcons’ official website. “We’re very excited about Kirk, very excited about this team. (With) Michael Penix we’re talking about the future. The draft is you look at the future and you look at big picture.”

Kirk Cousins is ready to move forward with the Falcons

While Cousins didn’t expect the Falcons to select a quarterback before taking a snap with the team, he is ready to move forward and help Atlanta win a Super Bowl.

“I think you’re reminded again, that there are things you control, and there’s a lot of things you don’t control,” Cousins said on Bussin’ With The Boys. “And so let’s deal in reality, you know, and recognize that fact and then be a steward, not an owner. So I just believe that I got to steward what comes my way and control what I can control, which is what a steward does but a steward doesn’t worry about that which they can’t control. An owner does. 

“An owner would be like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ So I just got to steward this. And just, you know, do kind of what I’ve always done as a player and let the chips fall where they may.”

Cousins comes to the Falcons after spending six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He also spent time with in Washington (2012-2017), and has played in four Pro Bowls in his career.

Penix joins the Falcons after having a strong 2023 season with the Washington Huskies. He won the Maxwell Award last season after throwing for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns last year.