The Falcons have pulled off the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft so far.
Throughout the offseason, a defensive player has been mocked to land in Atlanta. It seemed like an obvious fit for a team that has skill position talents, a solid offensive line, and a veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins just signed to free agency.
Then they picked a quarterback — and not the one many believed to be the best available option, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, but Washington's deep-ball artist Michael Penix Jr.
That decision was a stunner. It even apparently surprised Cousins, who reportedly expected a quarterback to be drafted but did not think it would be a first-rounder capable of someday supplanting him in Atlanta.
How much overlap is there between the contract of Cousins and Penix? Here's what you need to know.
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Kirk Cousins contract
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract. That will keep him locked into Atlanta through the 2027 NFL season.
The contract has $100 million guaranteed.
MORE FALCONS DRAFTING MICHAEL PENIX:
Why Falcons made pick | Cousins reaction | Blank-Fontenot video
Michael Penix Jr. contract
There are no financial details on Penix's rookie contract, but last year's No. 8 pick, Bijan Robinson, signed a four-year deal worth almost $22 million with Atlanta. Penix's deal will be worth slightly more, and while we don't know the financial specifics, we do know the length. Penix will be under contract at least through the 2027 season. As a first-round pick, Penix will also have a fifth-year option on his deal that the Falcons can decide to pick up before the 2026 season or decline.
That means Penix will be under contract for at least as long as Cousins, and possibly one year longer. The fifth-year option on quarterbacks tends to be extremely pricey, so if Penix does not start at some point over the next four years in Atlanta, it could be an expensive gamble to pick up his option without seeing him play.
Kirk Cousins age
Cousins is 35 and will be 36 by the time the season opens.
There is reason to be at least mildly concerned about Cousins' long-term abilities. He is coming off an Achilles tear, a severe injury for an older quarterback.
Earlier in the week, general manager Terry Fontenot praised the Packers' past mentality of having a successor lined up. Twice Green Bay drafted young quarterbacks with successful veterans on the roster. Twice those young QBs took over after years of sitting on the bench.
"The way Green Bay has operated, I think you have to think like that," Fontenot said, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "If we see a player we believe can be a franchise quarterback at any point whether it be this draft or next draft then you have to bring that player in.”
Michael Penix Jr. age
Penix is not exactly a young quarterback like Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers, who were 21 and 22, respectively, at the time of their drafts. Penix is 23 and will be 24 by Week 1.
Penix also has an extensive injury history, having twice torn an ACL and missing other games early in his career due to injury. He played his last two seasons in Washington fully healthy.
At the end of his rookie contract, he will be 28 before playing on a fifth-year option.
