The 2023 NFL draft largely unfolded as anticipated, with a few notable trades, minor surprises, and the customary optimism from newly drafted players. However, one significant shock occurred at pick No. 8, when the Atlanta Falcons chose Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., despite having previously signed Kirk Cousins to a substantial four-year, $180 million contract, which included a $100 million guarantee. Cousins’ contract boasts a full guarantee of $90 million for the initial two seasons. According to reports, Cousins was equally taken aback by the Falcons’ decision. Diana Russini of The Athletic revealed that the Falcons informed Cousins of their intentions while they were on the clock. She learned that Cousins had been aware of the possibility of a quarterback being drafted but did not anticipate his successor being selected in the first round, leaving him somewhat bewildered. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network echoed this sentiment, stating that Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, had not been given prior notice. The question remains: why did the Falcons make this move when they seemingly had secured their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future? Sam Sherman of Establish the Run speculates that the Falcons may have received unfavorable news regarding Cousins’ recovery from his Achilles injury, prompting them to seek a contingency plan. Alternatively, Sherman suggests that the NFL’s investigation into alleged tampering by the Falcons, involving improper direct contact with Cousins before it was permitted by league rules, may have invalidated Cousins’ contract. It is worth noting that Cousins suffered a torn Achilles on October 28 in Week 8 of the 2023 season. During his introductory press conference, he expressed optimism about regaining full mobility by training camp. The NFL is currently probing the Falcons for potential tampering, and the team could face draft pick penalties if found guilty.
Falcons’ Stunning Draft Pick Stuns Kirk Cousins
