Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons pulled off a stunning move in the NFL Draft on Thursday, and it’s a move that reportedly has left Kirk Cousins shocked.

Cousins signed with the Falcons in free agency last month. He chose to leave the Minnesota Vikings — his team for the last six seasons — to start anew in Atlanta. He even signed a four-year, $180M deal with the team.

And the Falcons responded by acting like they didn’t have a quarterback.

The Falcons had the No. 8 overall pick in the draft and used it on Michael Penix Jr. The pick makes it pretty clear that the Falcons don’t plan to have Cousins serve as their quarterback for the next four seasons even though that’s how long his contract runs.

Some reporters say the pick left Cousins “shocked” and “disappointed.”

Cousins has a full no-trade clause. $100M from his deal is guaranteed. It seems like his future in Atlanta may not last too long. It might just be a matter of how/when the Falcons get rid of him to create an opportunity for Penix.

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