Kirk Cousins' position as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback of the foreseeable future has not changed after the team's stunning first-round NFL draft decision, Marc Raimondi of ESPN reports.  This according to new coach Raheem Morris.

The Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington with the No. 8 pick Thursday night. The choice sent shockwaves across the NFL since Atlanta had just signed Cousins as a free agent last month to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, with $100 million of that guaranteed.

At the Falcons' post-draft media availability Saturday, Morris halted any quarterback controversy.

"We came up with a decision, this is what we plan to do," said Morris, who was hired in January after the firing of former coach Arthur Smith. "And Kirk does not have to look over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass. Like, that is not the case.

"So I know I'm going to have to tell you guys once or twice that that is not the case. Like, we are here to go win, and we are here to go win it all. We are here to win as much as we can win."

Cousins called Penix on Thursday night and the two had a "very good conversation," Penix said Saturday. He wouldn't go into any details but said, "I'm super excited to work with him, and he said he's the same with me."

Cousins was not informed that the Falcons would take a quarterback until they called the veteran signal-caller while the team was on the clock Thursday night. Mike McCartney, Cousins' agent, told ESPN's Pete Thamel that there was frustration and confusion coming from Cousins' camp because Atlanta didn't use its first-round pick to improve the team for next season.

Instead, the Falcons used the selection on Cousins' apparent successor before he had played a down for the team. McCartney said Cousins, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, understands the business of football and is ready to move on but added that there was surprise about the Falcons' decision.

"I hate for it to be like the story of the draft. I know it will be. That's just how our world is based and is driven, but I can't say it's annoying. No. Because it's what people want to see; it's piqued more interest. What's [Travis] Kelce's girlfriend's name? I feel like her right now. I'm Taylor Swift and Terry is Kelce, I guess."Falcons coach Raheem Morris

In 2023, Penix, a 23-year-old left-handed thrower, completed 65.4% of his passes for an FBS-high 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions. He took Washington to the national championship game, where the Huskies fell to Michigan.

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