Per the updates, in a surprising draft pick, The Atlanta Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Atlanta’s stunning move came after a month they signed Kirk Cousins during free agency, the four-time Pro Bowler is their QB1 on the roster.
They signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million in guarantees in March, despite him coming off an Achilles injury.
Kirk Cousins’s agent says he had no idea the Falcons were going to pick Michael Penix Jr. https://t.co/o6Xoc79p0L
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 26, 2024
Penix in 2023 recorded 15 starts, 363 passes completed off 555 attempts 65.4 completion percentage, 4,903 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Penix will turn 24 in May and is likely to sit behind Cousins, but he’s generally considered to be one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in the draft.
Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney commented on the surprise signing of QB Michael Penix Jr. as the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft,
“Yes, it was a big surprise. We had no idea this was coming. The truth is, the whole league had no idea this was coming. We got no heads up. Kirk got a call from the Falcons when they were on the clock. That was the first we heard. It never came up in any conversation.”
In Penix Jr.’s last season with Washington, he led the Huskies to the national title game. He completed 65.4% of his passes for 4,903 yards, with 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a passer rating of 157.1.
Penix, himself, shared he was surprised when he received a call for the pick. He said,
“I’m not going to say I knew it was coming, But I knew once the phone call came through.”
He has been the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy last year and have won the Maxwell Award after leading Washington to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the national championship game.
