Falcons' Morris backs Cousins -- No QB controversy with Penix - ESPN

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — 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, 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 nipped any kind of quarterback controversy in the bud.

«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 the phone Thursday night and the two had a «very good conversation,» Penix said Saturday. He wouldn't go into any further detail 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'