Michael Penix Jr. is selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft… as he joins $180 million passer Kirk Cousins ​​in the QB room

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the stunning opener of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The pick comes less than two months after Atlanta signed quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​to a four-year, $180 million contract this offseason.

Penix Jr., a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist, led the Huskies to the national championship game last season before falling to Michigan.

He will now team up with Bijan Robinson and Drake London to begin his professional career, although he will likely sit behind Cousins ​​to start.

The former Vikings passer, 35, is guaranteed $100 million and also received a $50 million signing bonus from Atlanta.

Penix was expected to be anywhere in the top 10 or not hear his name called until day two.

Penix, who turns 24 on May 8, has arguably the most natural arm talent in this year’s deep quarterback class, but his draft status is murky due to four injuries in four years.

After starting his career at Indiana, Penix transferred to Washington, a 4-8 program when he signed ahead of the 2022 season. He took the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game this year, which Washington lost to Michigan. His two seasons there: 11-2 and 14-1.

But before arriving in Seattle, he suffered two shoulder injuries and two season-ending ACL tears.

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