The Atlanta Falcons Surprising Selection at 8th Overall

The Atlanta Falcons left the NFL world stunned after drafting quarterback Micahel Penix Jr from Washington University with the 8th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Why is it such a surprise?

The Falcons recently signed 35-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason to command the offense. Cousins was one of the top free-agent targets this year. Rather than adding more weapons for him or bolstering the defense, the Falcons elected to draft his possible replacement. 

Cousins Contract 

The veteran QB will be making 180 million dollars over four years with 100 million dollars guaranteed. He will be a free agent in 2028. 

Penix Contract 

Penix will also be signed through the 2027 season with a fifth-year club option in 2028. 

Reaction/Responses 

Cousins 

A reporter for NFL Network, Jane Slater, said Cousins was “shocked” and “disappointed” that the Falcons chose to select Penix and that he was not informed ahead of time. 

Cousins Agent

Per NBC News, Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, said the selection was a surprise to not only him and Kirk, but to the whole league. “We got no heads up. Kirk got a call from the Falcons when they were on the clock.” 

Coach Raheem Morris 

Morris said the Falcons went in the Penix direction because it is smart to, “Address our future quarterback right now while we are picking this low.”

Morris became the Falcons head coach this past January after spending the last three seasons with the Rams as their defensive coordinator. 

Penix 

According to Amna Subhan, Penix looks forward to his career with the Falcons. “I’m gonna come in and I’m gonna learn from (Cousins),” said Penix. “He’s been in the league for a while and there’s a reason for that.” 

Cousins and Penix Talked After the Draft 

Despite Cousins and his camp being shocked about the team’s choice to draft a QB, he welcomed Penix and had a conversation with him over the phone after Penix was drafted, per NFL.com.

Penix stated, “I’m going to keep it between me and him right now,” said Penix. “I’m super excited to work with him and he said he’s the same with me.”

Haven’t We’ve Seen This Before?

Green Bay Packers 

Rather than giving Aaron Rodgers more weapons, the Packers selected his future replacement, Jordan Love, in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. With Love on the bench for his first two seasons, Rodgers proved he still had it despite his age and ended up winning back-to-back MVPs. Love had his first crack at the starting job this season after Rodgers was traded to the Jets last offseason. He led the team to a 9-8 record and a playoff berth.

The one major difference between the Packers and the Falcons is Atlanta just signed Cousins less than two months ago unlike Rodgers who had been on the Packers for 15 seasons when they drafted Love.