The Atlanta Falcons made a big splash during free agency by adding Kirk Cousins , arguably the top quarterback available on the market. The team then provided the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft when it selected Michael Penix Jr . at No. 8 overall. It was a shocking decision considering they gave Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal.
The Falcons’ quarterback room currently includes Cousins, Penix and Taylor Heinicke , who was their backup in 2023. Even with three on their roster, they had interest adding another signal-caller to the mix. According to ESPN , the Falcons put in a waiver claim this week for former New England Patriots quarterback Nathan Rourke . The New York Giants , however, ended up landing Rourke due to a higher waiver priority.
While the Falcons still have the three quarterbacks they started the day with, their attempt to add Rourke shows they are interested in adding another, and we could see this happen down the road. Atlanta has emphasized that longevity and security at the position is crucial, which is why it drafted a quarterback in the first round after signing Cousins.