Fans and media alike were surprised when the Atlanta Falcons selected Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall. According to reports, so was recently signed Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Per NFL Network&#8217;s Jane Slater, Cousins was shocked and disappointed that Atlanta chose Penix Jr.
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The Athletic&#8217;s Dianna Russini reports that Cousins was informed of the Penix Jr. pick but Cousins said he did not believe a quarterback would be selected at No. 8 overall.
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The Falcons, who signed Kirk Cousins in the offseason, draft Michael Penix Jr.
Before the pick, Ian Rapoport said that the Falcons were considering it. &quot;It&#39;s all about succession at the most important position.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/aSQlTrR9sp">pic.twitter.com/aSQlTrR9sp</a>
&mdash; Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1783665707919524227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Fellow NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah added during the network&#8217;s broadcast that Cousins&#8217; agent was not informed of the pick either.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
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Daniel Jeremiah: &quot;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.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ShfKRBR257">pic.twitter.com/ShfKRBR257</a>
&mdash; Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1783674821869437137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Kirk Cousins contract: Four years, $180 million
Cousins signed the biggest deal of free agency this year with a four year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. The contract also includes a no-trade clause and he&#8217;ll earn $62.5 million in 2024 alone.
If the Falcons cut him ahead of 2025, he&#8217;ll cost at least $40 million against the Falcons&#8217; salary cap in dead money. That hit goes down to at least $12.5 million if he&#8217;s cut ahead of 2026 or 2027.
Fans reaction to Michael Penix jr. pick
Fans had varied reactions to the news as well.
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NFL Draft: Kirk Cousins ‘stunned’ by Falcons drafting QB Penix Jr.