Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. says Kirk Cousins reached out after surprise pick: 'Amazing guy'

The Atlanta Falcons' decision to draft Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft may have puzzled some, but Penix himself said he wasn’t shocked.

"Personally, I feel like I’m the best quarterback out of the draft," Penix, one of six quarterbacks drafted during the first round, said Friday during his introductory press conference with the Falcons. "I’m excited that I landed here and I'm excited to get started,"

Atlanta's pick was surprising to some fans and media considering the Falcons just signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed in March. Reports from The Athletic and NFL Network said Cousins was left "shocked" and stunned by his team's selection, but that didn't stop Cousins from contacting Penix on draft night.

"He did reach out. We had a very good conversation," Penix confirmed on Friday. "I’m going to keep (the conversation) just between me and him right now, but it was definitely a good conversation. Im super excited to work with him and he said he’s the same with me."

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"Kirk is an amazing guy. I actually watched (Netflix's) 'Quarterback' series with him and seeing that he’s a man of faith just like me. He’s all about his family," Penix said. "I really enjoyed that to kind of get a feel of what kind of guy he is. I’m super blessed to be able to be in the room with him, to work with him and to support him as he continues with his career."

On Thursday evening, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot confirmed Cousins will be the team's short-term solution, while Penix is the team's long-term answer. "This is a pick thinking about the future," Fontenot said. Head coach Raheem Morris said Penix will "come in and learn from a player that we just picked up." (Cousins, 35, is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury.)

Although he's prepared to serve as Cousins' backup, Penix, who turns 24 in May, said he'll continue to "prepare and work just like I’m the starter no matter what my role is."

"If I’m not on the field right away, I’m learning. But at the same thing, I’m still going to prepare like I’m on going to be on that field," Penix said. "You never know what can happen. You never know when your number's called. But you have to be ready. So for me, I’m going to do whatever I can to be ready day one. I’m still going to put in the same work, I’m going to prepare and work just like I’m the starter no matter what my role is."

Penix said his focus is on the field and not the commentary surrounding the pick.

"I’m just super excited for the opportunity. It’s been a childhood dream of mine," he said. "As far as what anybody else feels about the decisions made, I have no control over that. All I can control is what I do and what I bring to this team. For me, I know that I’m going to be a great leader on-and-off the field as well. I’m going to be a great person and great teammate as well."