Atlanta left one of the history of the NFL draft by selecting a quarterback with the eighth overall pick
FLORIDA BRANCH, Ga. — The position of Kirk Cousins as starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons for the foreseeable future hasn’t changed after the team’s surprising first-round draft decision. NFLaccording to the new coach Raheem Morris.
Los Falcons they selected the quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington with the eighth pick Thursday night. The election caused shock throughout the NFL given that Atlanta had just signed Cousins as a free agent last month to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, with $100 million of that amount guaranteed.
At the conference of Falcons posterior al draft, Raheem Morris stopped any controversy over the quarterback.
Kirk Cousins at an Atlanta Braves game. The quarterback will play for the Falcons starting in 2024. Matthew Grimes Jr./Getty Images
“We made a decision, this is what we plan to do,” defended Morris, who was hired in January after the former coach was fired. Arthur Smith. “And Kirk doesn’t have to look over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass. That’s not the case.”
“So I know I’m going to have to tell you once or twice that that’s not the case. We’re here to win, and we’re here to win everything. We’re here to win as much as possible, as we can win.”
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Kirk Cousins I call Michael Penix Thursday night and the two had a “very good conversation,” Penix said Saturday. She didn’t go into details, but shared, “I’m very excited to work with him and he said it’s the same with me.”
A Kirk Cousins He wasn’t informed the Falcons would be taking a quarterback until they called up the veteran while the team was on shift Thursday night. Mike McCartneyCousins’ agent, told Pete Thamel of ESPN that there was frustration and confusion coming from the Cousins camp because Atlanta he didn’t use his first-round pick to improve the team for the next season.
Instead, the Falcons They used the pick on Cousins’ apparent successor before he had debuted with the team. McCartney said Cousins, a former player of the Minnesota Vikings, understands the business of American football and is ready to move forward, but added that there was surprise about the decision of the Falcons.
In 2023, Penix, a 23-year-old left-handed thrower, completed 65.4% of his passes for 4,903 yards and an FBS-high 36 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions. He led Washington to the national championship game, where the Huskies fell before Michigan.
Raheem Morris He stressed Saturday that he spoke to Cousins on Thursday night with the idea of being “empathetic with how he was feeling at that moment.” Morris said he preaches that communication has to be open, honest and continuous and that will continue regarding this situation.
Morris and Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, said that when they chose Penix they knew that the decision would generate a lot of rumors and criticism. Penix wasn’t projected to arrive as early as most experts did, and certainly not to a team that had just signed a quarterback for a lot of money. But the Falcons said they were confident in their process and that Penix, with his big arm, poise in the pocket and winning pedigree, was the guy who fit their “succession” plan after Cousins.
“I hate that it’s the story of the draft,” Morris said. “I know that’s how it will be. That’s how our world is built and run, but I can’t say I’m upset. No. Because it’s what people want to see; it’s sparked more interest. What’s the name of his girlfriend? [Travis] Kelce? “I feel like her right now, I’m Taylor Swift and Terry is Kelce, I guess.”
2024-04-29 01:16:45
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