Why did Atlanta Falcons take Penix when they have Kirk Cousins? [View all]

In what was likely the most surprising pick in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected UW Huskies star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.

The pick comes as such a surprise because the Falcons signed QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract during the offseason. However, Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered during Week 8 of the 2023 season while he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings. The typical timeline to return from a torn Achilles is 9-12 months.

During Seattle Sports’ NFL Draft coverage, former NFL players Brock Huard, Dave Wyman and Michael Bumpus broke down what Penix’s selection means for the UW star and the Atlanta Falcons.

“If you’re Kirk Cousins, you’re watching this tonight and you and your Kohl’s t-shirt are like, ‘What? What did we just do?'” Huard said.

Link to tweet