Kirk Cousins ​​’don’t have to look over his shoulder’ at Michael Penix Jr., Falcons coach Raheem Morris says after Atlanta’s baffling decision to draft QB with eighth pick after in having signed another for 180 million dollars

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​has nothing to fear with first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.

Or at least not yet.

As first-year Falcons coach Raheem Morris explained Saturday, the team’s $180 million signal-caller remains the team’s starter despite the heartbreaking decision to use the eighth overall pick on Penix , who will be 28 by the time the four-year deal expires in 2028.

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

“So I know I’m going to 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 possible.

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

Newly acquired Falcons QB Kirk Cousins ​​makes appearance at Atlanta United game

Atlanta Falcons first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. speaks with reporters

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

And to make his point across to football fans, Morris referenced a Kansas City Chiefs tight end who is dating a popular singer.

“I hate that it seems like the draft story,” Morris said. “I know it will. This is how our world is based and run, but I can’t say it’s boring. No, because that’s what people want to see; this sparked more interest.

“What is (Travis) Kelce’s girlfriend’s name? I feel like her right now. My name is Taylor Swift and Terry is Kelce, I guess.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris already finds himself facing 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 accepted his role as backup 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 watch him throw the football or when you hear him,” Morris said of Penix after personally filling in for the linebacker during the quarterback’s private workouts. “And when you play linebacker, it’s intimidating.

“The whole practice itself was generally a fun experience watching him throw, seeing his arm talent,” Morris said. “…And just being the linebacker…I could hear the ball going over my head. He had top speed sometimes and sometimes he was able to put it on me where I couldn’t. reach.