Kirk Cousins reached out to Michael Penix Jr after the Atlanta Falcons took everyone by surprise to draft the young quarterback.
After forging a noteworthy career with the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins made a lucrative $180 million, four-year deal with the Falcons this offseason only to face an unexpected move from the team on Thursday. They not only drafted a key offensive player but possibly his long-term successor in the form of Penix Jr.
Despite being surprised by the sudden turn of events, Cousins graciously reached out and exchanged kind words with the newly introduced Penix Jr.
In his first public statement as a member of the Falcons, Penix Jr. confirmed that he had a productive conversation with Cousins and looked forward to cooperating with him on the field.
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"We had a very good conversation. I will keep it between me and him, but I am excited to work with him and he said the same to me," Penix Jr said.
Adding fuel to the shock was Cousins' agent who openly voiced that even the NFL fraternity hadn't anticipated such a left-field move from the Falcons. Cousins' representative revealed to NFL Network: "Yes, it was a big surprise.
"We had no idea this was coming. The truth is the whole league had no idea this was coming. We got no heads up. Kirk got a call from the Falcons when they were on te clock. That was the first we heard. It never came up in any conversation."
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The 23 year old was the fourth quarterback selected, following Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, who were taken with the top three picks - Penix was chosen eighth overall.
A gifted thrower with an arm that can match Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen's, Penix Jr is definitely a thrilling prospect - but he struggled with his accuracy in his final year at college. In addition, Penix Jr has suffered three major injuries throughout his career - including both knees and shoulders.
Penix Jr is now expected to be Cousins' backup for at least two years, as the Falcons are unable to release the veteran after signing him to a four-year contract.