The Atlanta Falcons pulled off the biggest shocker of the NFL draft Thursday night, taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick. And that stunned feeling extended to incumbent quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons made the pick despite signing veteran quarterback Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract last month in free agency.
Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that the Falcons only notified the quarterback that they would pick Penix while the team was on the clock. McCartney said there is frustration and confusion coming from Cousins’ camp because Atlanta did not use its first-round pick to make the team better in 2024.
Instead, the Falcons used their selection on Cousins’ apparent successor before he even played for the team. McCartney said Cousins understands the business of football and is ready to move on, but there was indeed surprise about the Falcons’ decision.
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