Report: Kirk Cousins ‘stunned’ by Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr. in first round

The Atlanta Falcons made a surprising move by drafting Michael Penix Jr. on Thursday night, and Kirk Cousins didn’t see it coming. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Cousins was “stunned” to see the Falcons take Penix at No. 8 overall.

“The Falcons called Kirk Cousins when they were on the clock to let him know,” Russini wrote on X. “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.”

The Falcons made this move over a month after signing Cousins to a four-year $180 million deal. Based on the television broadcast of the draft, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot explained the move to Falcons owner Arthur Blank, meaning that Blank likely didn’t see it coming as well.

This very much looks like Terry Fontenot trying to explain himself #Falcons #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1vl7CgIrfV

— Cody Chaffins (@CodyChaffins) April 26, 2024

On Tuesday, Fontenot spoke to reporters about taking the best player available in the draft. “When we talk about best player available, it’s really best player available for us,” Fontenot said per the Falcons’ official website. “Because I think sometimes when people hear ‘best player available,’ they’re looking at some of the experts’ lists. But you have 32 different draft boards. They’re probably a little more similar in the top 10, but they can get very different as you go through the draft.”

Fontenot added: “We always want to bring in impact players and continue to build the team,” Fontenot said. “But where need does come into play is when you have several players in the category, which in most cases you do.”

What Michael Penix Jr. brings to Falcons

Despite the Falcons adding Cousins to the roster, they know he’s not the long-term answer. Penix brings a lot to the table as he threw for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns in two seasons with the Washington Huskies. In 2023, Penix won the Maxwell Award and was named a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Before the draft, Penix penned an open letter to NFL general managers about his injury history. “This isn’t a solo journey for me,” he wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “There’s been plenty of other guys who were cut from the same fabric, who experienced the same challenges, and displayed the same resilience. Guys you would’ve lost money on, if you bet against them. Guys like Thomas Davis, who went on to make three Pro Bowls after tearing the same ACL three times… Frank Gore, who had a 16-year Hall-of-Fame-level career at runningback after tearing his ACL twice in college. So I have no problem taking all the MRI’s and X-rays you ask of me. 

“Truth is, it’s an EKG that will tell you everything you need to know about me.”