Falcons head coach talks about potential awkwardness involving Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Morris said, “I have to manage the expectations from the fans and them wanting you to do something maybe quicker than you want to do it.” “But we came into this with a fairly clear plan, and since Kirk is our quarterback, things will work out as they do. Additionally, we believe that a man in the building may end up becoming our future partner.
Less than two months after the Falcons controversially selected Penix eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with a $100 million guarantee. Regarding the team signing his ultimate replacement, Cousins has publicly taken the high road. However, on Tuesday, the 35-year-old acknowledged that he could have chosen differently in free agency if he had been aware of Atlanta’s draft plans prior to the evening of April 25.
Morris stated, “Kirk is aiming to win a Super Bowl,” in his remarks. “Kirk is working feverishly to get the Atlanta Falcons ready for the greatest chance of success. And a guy like Kirk Cousins is, in my opinion, the best person to sit behind. Simply put, I think Michael is having a great time and will learn a lot from seeing him move and move in quiet with his guys.
The latest member of the NFL community to voice the possibility that Cousins might practically demand a trade from the Falcons as early as the upcoming offseason is Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who made the comment on Wednesday. This spring, Morris doesn’t seem to care about such a situation.
Morris continued, speaking of the quarterbacks, “I feel terrific about these two people.” You could not agree with the initial objective or the early response to what is about to occur. However, if you take a seat, follow the steps, speak with enough people, determine the objectives, put it on the line, and then let’s go to work.”
The Falcons were favored to win the NFC South division title in the upcoming season at -130 odds according to DraftKings Sportsbook as of Wednesday morning. If Cousins appears to be a shell of the player he was before suffering a torn Achilles tendon this past October, one wonders how quickly Atlanta fans may begin shouting Penix’s name during games.