Kirk Cousins discusses Michael Penix Jr.'s role with Falcons: "We're kind of doing this together"

This offseason, the Atlanta Falcons added two new quarterbacks. They signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency to become Atlanta's next franchise quarterback. Atlanta then drafted Penix less than two months later with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.

With Atlanta using their first-round pick on Penix, some thought there would be a quarterback controversy in Atlanta, but that isn't the case. Penix has been under Cousins' wing, and the starter said recently on "The Pat McAfee Show" that the quarterback room in Atlanta relies on one another by helping each other out.

Cousins said:

"I think the nature of the quarterback room is always that we're kind of doing this together. And while one guy plays, what I've always felt when I'm the starting quarterback is that I feel like I'm in there in a room together all week long.

"I've always leaned heavily on the whole quarterback room to help me through the week of preparation, help me through the season, and help me through the game week, week in and week out. So that's always going on behind the scenes and I think it's a big reason why you know an offense can be successful is when you have a great quarterback room that's all working together."

Cousins has had a solid season so far with the Falcons, going 6-3 as their starting quarterback and completing 69.2 percent of passes while throwing for 2,328 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Bijan Robinson said Kirk Cousins has helped him become a leader

Kirk Cousins, left, Bijan Robinson, right, during Atlanta Falcons v Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Getty

Kirk Cousins isn't only sharing his knowledge and leadership traits in the quarterback room. Being 36 years old, he is one of the oldest and most experienced players on the Atlanta Falcons' roster.

His impact and leadership have been felt throughout the team. Running back Bijan Robinson said that the veteran has helped him become a leader.

Robinson said, via On3:

“He’s a veteran in the league, so he’s had a lot of experience... And then even him just even teaching me how to be a leader and showing me the steps and how to be the best player possible is definitely been something that I haven’t had before. But man, I mean he’s definitely been great for this offense and hopefully we continue to keep on putting up awesome numbers and great games like how we want to.”

The Falcons are the only winning team in the NFC South with a 6-3 record, and hold first place.

With a two-game lead for the division, Atlanta is in a good position to make the playoffs this year. The Falcons will look to improve to 7-3 when they face the New Orleans Saints this weekend. This will be the first game the Saints will be without recently fired head coach Dennis Allen.