Kirk Cousins Has No Beef with Falcons Drafting Michael Penix Jr.; QB Eyes Super Bowl

Even though the Atlanta Falcons stunned everyone by selecting Kirk Cousins' successor in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft weeks after he signed with the team in free agency, the four-time Pro Bowler isn't holding a grudge about the decision.

Appearing on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast (starts at 1:31:56 mark), Cousins explained he has no beef with the Falcons for selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick because that doesn't help with the ultimate goal of trying to win a Super Bowl.

"I don't think there can be," Cousins said. "I don't think it's helpful. We're trying to win a Super Bowl and it's hard enough. It's hard enough. Let's all be on the same page and try and go win a Super Bowl."

After using three different starting quarterbacks over the past two seasons, the Falcons gave Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency in an attempt to stabilize the position and improve their offensive performance.

Once the investment in Cousins happened, it was assumed the Falcons would target a defensive player with their selection in the first round.

Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner was the player most frequently mocked to them leading up to the draft. He would have been a natural fit for a team that hasn't had an individual player reach 10 sacks in a season since Vic Beasley Jr. had 15.5 in 2016.

Instead, the Falcons opted to go with Penix. The Athletic's Dianna Russini noted Cousins was "a bit stunned" by the selection.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot told reporters they believe it's a "great problem" to have if Penix doesn't play for "four or five years" because the team is having success with Cousins.

Even though it's hard to wholly justify why the Falcons made their decision, Cousins' ability to embrace it rather than try to turn it into a controversy will go a long way toward making things easier for Penix and the team.

Fontenot has made it clear Cousins is the starter going into 2024. The 35-year-old is returning from a torn Achilles he suffered on Oct. 29 in the Minnesota Vikings' 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Cousins has said he expects to be back at "full speed" before the Falcons open training camp. The addition of Penix gives the Falcons a good fallback option if Cousins misses time during the 2024 season.

The Falcons are hoping an improved quarterback room elevates them to playoff status in the NFC. They have posted six consecutive losing seasons since their last postseason appearance in 2017.