Atlanta Falcons pick QB Michael Penix Jr. in NFL Draft. Current starter Kirk Cousins' camp ‘had no idea' of surprise move

The Atlanta Falcons made a surprising move in the NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick. This decision raised eyebrows as the Falcons recently signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract to be their starting quarterback. The team’s choice to pick Penix Jr. came as a shock to Cousins and his agent, who were not informed beforehand. Falcons’ management emphasized that Cousins remains their starter and expressed excitement about having both Cousins and Penix Jr. on the roster. The decision was made to address future quarterback options while taking advantage of their high draft position. The Falcons cited the “Green Bay model” as inspiration for their strategy, referring to the Packers’ selection of Jordan Love in 2020 despite having Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons hope that Penix Jr. will learn from Cousins and eventually become their starting quarterback. Penix Jr. had impressive performances in college, but concerns about his durability remain due to previous injuries.