The Atlanta Falcons now boast two skilled quarterbacks in their lineup following the addition of Michael Penix Jr., the 2023 Maxwell Award recipient, chosen as the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25.
In addition, the team secured four-time Pro Bowl selection Kirk Cousins in a lucrative four-year, $180 million deal earlier this offseason last month.
Despite potential competition, the two quarterbacks have formed a positive rapport and are eager to collaborate for the team.
"Yes, he did reach out. We had a very good conversation. He reached out last night. I'm going to keep it between me and him right now, but it was definitely a good conversation. I'm super excited to work with him. He said he's the same with me," the 23-year-old said on the post-draft press conference.
The Falcons' selection of the former Washington Huskies signal-caller was the most significant surprise of Day 1 of the draft.
Falcons' Penix pick surprised Cousins' camp
The Falcons' decision caught Cousins' circle off guard, and his agent, Mike McCartney, described it as "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," McCartney said.
Penix Jr. recently led the Huskies to the 2024 CFP National Championship Game, where they lost to the Michigan Wolverines, 34-13.
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