Kirk Cousins ‘does not have to look over his shoulder’ at Michael Penix Jr., says Falcons coach Raheem Morris after Atlanta’s head-scratching decision to draft a QB with the eighth pick after signing another for $180m

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​has nothing to worry about in first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.

Or at least not yet.

As explained by first-year Falcons coach Raheem Morris on Saturday, the $180 million signal-caller will remain the team’s starter despite the baffling decision to use the eighth overall pick on Penix, who will be 28 by the time Cousins ‘fourfold. annual contract expires in 2028.

“We’ve made a decision, this is what we plan to do,” said Morris, who replaced the fired Arthur Smith in January. “And Kirk doesn’t have to look over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass. For example, that is not the case.

“So I know I have to tell you once or twice that that’s not the case. Like, we’re here to win, and we’re here to win everything. We are here to win as much as we can.”

Cousins ​​was reportedly “stunned” when he saw the Falcons draft Penix on Thursday, about a month after making him the team’s franchise quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick quarterback Michael Penix Jr. speaks to reporters

Morris said he and Cousins ​​spoke Thursday about the situation, which he fears will cloud public perception of Atlanta’s offseason and 2024 draft.

And to drive home his point to football fans, Morris referenced a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who happens to be dating a popular singer.

“I hate that it seems like the story of the design,” Morris said. ‘I know it will be. That’s just how our world is based and driven, but I can’t say it’s annoying. No. Because it’s what people want to see; it has generated more interest.

‘What’s [Travis] Kelce’s girlfriend’s name? I feel just like her now. I’m Taylor Swift and Terry is Kelce, I think.”

Falcons coach Raheem Morris is already at the center of a quarterback controversy in Atlanta

Cousins ​​and Penix spoke by phone, and while the details of the conversation remain private, the former Washington star was encouraged by the discussion and appears to have embraced his backup role for the time being.

So why did the Falcons draft a quarterback a month after signing another for $180 million?

“He’s a remarkable arm talent when you see him throw the football or when you hear him,” Morris said of Penix after personally vouching for the quarterback’s private workouts with the linebacker. “And when you play linebacker there, it’s intimidating.

“The whole workout itself was just a fun experience overall, seeing him throw and seeing his arm talent,” Morris said. “…And just being the linebacker…I could hear the ball going over my head. Sometimes he had maximum speed and sometimes he could put it over me where I couldn’t reach it.’