Kirk Cousins revealed he was blindsided by the Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr., and it may have changed the NFL quarterback landscape. One ripple effect could have sent Cousins to the Browns and kept Shedeur Sanders from landing in Cleveland altogether.

When Kirk Cousins signed a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, it came with the expectation that he would be a starting quarterback for the duration. So it came as a surprise when the Falcons drafted former Washington star Michael Penix Jr.

A lot is riding on the success of second year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after the Atlanta Falcons went all-in on him for 2025.