Kirk Cousins Says He's 'Super Excited' to Work With Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins and Penix have spoken and appear ready to make the best of a strange situation.

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) talks with / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins was as shocked as the rest of the football world when the Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. It seemed an odd selection for the Falcons given they gave Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal in March. On Friday, Cousins said he has talked to his new teammates and is "super excited" to work with him.

Of Penix, Cousins said, "He did reach out. We had a very good conversation. I'm going to keep it just between me and him right now, but I'm super excited to work with him."

The veteran quarterback doesn't really have a choice in the matter, so he may as well be good with it. He committed what might be his final NFL seasons to the Falcons and this is the decision they made. Even if it doesn't make sense to many observers, he can't really change it.

Penix led Washington to the national championship game this season, and posted monster numbers. he completed 65.4% of his passes for 4,903 yards, with 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a passer rating of 157.1. He was outstanding and turned himself into a first-round pick with that performance. But no one thought he was going to Atlanta, especially given that he feels like an NFL-ready quarterback.

The Falcons are fully-committed to Cousins. He'll make $62.5 million in 2024 (per Spotrac) and if Atlanta cuts him before the 2025 season, he'll cost at least $40 million in dead money against the salary cap. That all but means he'll be on the roster through the 2025 campaign. Penix turn 24 in two weeks and will turn 26 before the 2026 season even begins. A lot of this doesn't make any sense.

All Cousins and Penix can do is make the best of the situation.