Michael Penix Jr. had a ‘good conversation’ with Kirk Cousins after being controversially picked by the Falcons in the NFL Draft… amid confusion over Atlanta adding him to QB room alongside $180m recruit

Michael Penix Jr. has revealed that he had a “good conversation” with Kirk Cousins ​​following the Atlanta Falcons’ controversial decision to sign both quarterbacks.

Just over a month after handing Cousins, 35, a four-year contract worth $180 million, the Falcons stunned their new recruit and football fans alike by selecting Penix with the eighth overall pick during this week’s NFL Draft.

Atlanta was expected to use the pick to boost their pass rush, but would pull off a major upset by selecting the former Huskies star, 23, who led Washington to the national championship game last season.

Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy led the criticism of the Falcons online, labeling the team as “not serious people” and “idiots” for drafting Penix.

Amid the controversy, reports from Daniel Jeremiah and others at the NFL Network also claimed that Cousins ​​himself was surprised because he only found out Penix would be chosen while the Falcons were on the clock.

Michael Penix Jr. (right) revealed he had a ‘good chat’ with Kirk Cousins ​​(left)

Penix Jr. was selected by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft

Cousins, who signed a four-year deal worth $180 million in Atlanta last month, was surprised by the move

But according to Penix, the quarterback duo has already cleared the air since his draft pick on Thursday.

“I’ll keep it between me and him right now,” he said Friday at the Falcons facility.

“But it was definitely a good conversation, and I’m super excited to work with him, and he said he’s the same as me.”

Cousins’ camp is said to have grown frustrated with the Falcons for seemingly using their first-round pick to acquire his long-term successor instead of strengthening in other areas for the 2024 season.

However, the veteran NFL star’s agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN that his client understands things and is now ready to move on.

“He was called on the clock, obviously because of the sensitive time with the issues you’re dealing with,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said of Cousins ​​on Thursday night.

“It’s never the right time to talk to a quarterback about those things, and comments will always be private when it comes to those things unless Kirk decides to tell you some of those things, whatever they may be.

‘But he is a competitor, just like all of us. And you can always expect things to go the way you think.”

But Penix Jr. says he has already spoken to Cousins ​​regarding the controversial design

The Falcons also focused on offensive playmakers with their final three first-round picks. Tight end Kyle Pitts was the No. 4 overall pick in 2021, followed by wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, both No. 8, the past two years.

Penix, who will turn 24 as a rookie, led FBS schools with 4,903 passing yards and was third with 36 touchdown passes. He won the Maxwell Award as the best player in the country.

“If I’m not on the field right away, I’m learning,” he added. “But at the same time, I’m still going to prepare like I’m on that field because you never know what can happen. You never know when your number will be called, but you have to be ready.

“So for me, I’m going to do everything I can to be ready on Day 1. I’m still going to do the same job. I’m going to prepare, I’m going to work the same way [much as if] I’m the starter.’