Kirk Cousins’ words to Michael Penix Jr. after Atlanta Falcons shock NFL Draft call

Michael Penix Jr. opened up about his off-the-record conversation with Kirk Cousins ​​ahead of Atlanta Falcons minicamp.

Cousins ​​earlier this season ended his six-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings by hitting free agency and joining the Falcons.

His four-year deal takes him to the NFC South where he’s set to lead a versatile offense that includes Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson, but in a surprising twist, the Falcons drafted Penix in April.

Effectively, Cousins’ replacement or successor – as opposed to a player capable of helping the team become a contender in 2024. And perhaps more importantly, a player whom Cousins ​​doesn’t had no idea he was on the Falcons’ radar.

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According to reports, the Falcons only spoke to Cousins ​​while they were on the job to rationalize Penix’s selection and it appeared the veteran agreed to the decision.

Terry Fontenot, Atlanta’s general manager, insisted the unexpected move had no bearing on Cousins’ health, but was instead aimed at establishing a future key player given Cousins’ age.

On Friday, Penix let it slip that the two had met and had a brief conversation before rookie minicamp: “He said he was happy to see me and have me here, and I just told him said I was looking forward to working with him.”

Despite the decision, head coach Raheem Morris downplayed any controversy and confirmed Cousins ​​as the starter. However, if the veteran falters early in the season, there could be calls for Penix to enter the lineup. As he enters his first season with the Falcons, Cousins ​​is under immense pressure to connect with fans, especially after recovering from a torn Achilles.

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In his eight appearances during the 2023 regular season, Cousins ​​has thrown for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. He also earned a 103.8 rating, playing arguably the best football of his career before his season-ending injury.

The Falcons are currently in the second phase of their offseason program, which involves no contact and slower passing. Despite this, Cousins ​​faces few restrictions.

As rookie minicamp began, Morris took stock: “Kirk is getting better every day,” he told reporters.

“So we’re kind of at the point where he’s doing everything we can do at this point in phase two, right? There’s no one around him. There’s no contact. He’s quite good with all that stuff. So he did all those things.

Additionally, he mentioned, “We will limit what he does in terms of quantity, not necessarily what he does in terms of where we are and what we are capable of doing right now. It’s not like training camp where I’m worried about the people at his feet, because the pace is so slow and… we feel really good about where he is right now .”