Falcons Rumors: Penix Jr. Pick Wasn't a Remote Possibility in Cousins' Contract Talks

The Atlanta Falcons' interest in Michael Penix Jr. wasn't apparent as the team courted Kirk Cousins in free agency.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Marc Raimondi, the selection of the former Washington signal-caller "never came up as even a remote possibility" as the team showed interest in Cousins during his free agency.

After six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the 35-year-old joined the Falcons on a four-year contract worth $180 million in March. On April 25, Atlanta made the surprising choice to use the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Penix.

Per Fowler and Raimondi, the Falcons considered "multiple scenarios" with their first-round selection and showed interest in defensive end Laiatu Latu. However, the team expected to be competitive moving forward and might not have had another shot at a top-10 pick to use on a passer.

There likely won't be too much controversy surrounding Atlanta's starting quarterback in 2024, as head coach Raheem Morris confirmed that Cousins would maintain the first-string job after the draft.

Some members of the Falcons were reportedly attempting to follow a model similar to the Green Bay Packers, using a first-round pick on a quarterback with another established signal-caller still in place (via Fowler and Raimondi). As Cousins recovers from a season-ending torn Achilles in 2023, Atlanta wanted a succession plan in place.

Team owner Arthur Blank was a "key factor" in the selection of Penix, one source with knowledge of the Falcons' offseason plans told Fowler and Raimondi. However, a separate team source revealed that Blank simply trusted Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot as they searched for a quarterback.

With Cousins under center and Penix serving as his backup, the Falcons will look to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season.