Kelce announced his retirement early last month after 13 seasons as the center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelce was sought after by CBS, NBC and Amazon, per the report. CBS was interested in Kelce for its "NFL Today" show, per the report.

Drafted in the sixth round (191st overall) in 2011, Kelce became a Super Bowl LII champion and one of the most durable, decorated and respected centers in NFL history -- and one of the league's most passionate players.

The six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection started 205 games for the Eagles, including the postseason.

Kelce, 36, is the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. The siblings have a popular podcast called "New Heights."

NFL teams have until Thursday to exercise the 2025 options on their 2021 first-round draft picks.

Rousseau, the 30th overall selection in 2021, will earn a fully guaranteed salary of $13.387 million in 2025.

Rousseau, 24, registered five sacks, 18 quarterback hits and 42 tackles while starting 16 games last season.

His career totals include 17 sacks, 42 QB hits, 129 tackles and three forced fumbles in 46 games (all starts).

Agent Nicole Lynn confirmed the figures Monday with ESPN, which also reported that the deal includes $41.8 million guaranteed for the 2021 second-round pick.

Barmore, 24, was entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024 and was scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.82 million. The extension runs through the 2028 season.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said at the NFL league meetings in March that contract talks were active and likely to lead to a new deal following Barmore's breakout season in 2023.

"Three years ago, Christian and I sat in the greenroom at the NFL Draft on night 1 and his names was not called," Lynn posted Monday on X. "He would eventually slide to round 2, and that became one of the hardest nights of my career. Fast forward and now he is one of the highest paid DTs. God is always faithful!"

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Barmore paced the Patriots with a career-high 8.5 sacks in 17 games (six starts) last season, also setting career highs in tackles (64), quarterback hits (16) and pass breakups (six).

Barmore has recorded 12.5 sacks, 32 QB hits and 133 tackles in 44 career games (11 starts).

Franklin-Myers, 27, recorded 3.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 33 tackles and three passes defensed in 17 starts with the Jets last season.

"It is something we have been working on the past couple of weeks," Broncos general manager George Paton said. "He is a player that we have always respected. He is durable. For three straight years he has not missed a game, and four straight years of 54-plus pressures. He can play all down the line of scrimmage. The one thing that sticks out on tape is the relentless motor this guy plays with. We are excited to get him. ... He is going to help our defensive line."

A fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, Franklin-Myers has recorded 19.5 sacks, 61 QB hits, 135 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one interception in 81 games (52 starts) with L.A. (2018) and New York (2020-23).

Both former NFL quarterbacks announced Monday that they were leaving the network; The Athletic reported that Matt Ryan is in. J.J. Watt will remain and could have an expanded role this season.

The moves come in the aftermath of the announced retirement of CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus, with David Berson replacing him as boss of CBS Sports.

"More their decision than maybe mine," Esiason said of CBS Sports. "I had been there for 22 years. The guy who hired me back in 2001 was a guy by the name of Sean McManus, who was the CBS Sports Chairman ... I never in my wildest dreams (thought) it would have lasted 22 years."

Simms was there for 26 years, first as the in-booth No. 1 analyst alongside Jim Nantz before shifting to the studio in 2017 when the network inked Tony Romo.

"Great 26 yrs run with CBS SPORTS. Even though that part of my career is over I look forward to what is next," Simms posted to X.

Landry, 31, sent a warning shot about his comeback bid prior to the NFL draft with a video of his on-field workouts and the words "Rent due."

Landry was released by the Cleveland Browns in 2022 after they traded for Amari Cooper. Landry played for the New Orleans Saints in 2022 but was limited to nine games due to multiple injuries. He caught 25 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown.

Injuries were a hurdle for Landry in his final two seasons with Cleveland and he previously played for the Miami Dolphins.

Landry has 713 catches for 7,870 yards with 38 touchdowns in his career.

Elliott played for Dallas from 2016-22 after the team selected him with the No. 4 overall section of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent last season with the New England Patriots after being released by Dallas.

Owner Jerry Jones said before the third day of the NFL draft that the Cowboys were "keenly interested" in Elliott. Team officials met with Elliott and his agent last week, and Jones said that Elliott's days as a starter are not behind him.

"I know this, I saw as recent as the end of the year, I saw Zeke play," Jones said. "And I will tell you he's good enough to be a starter."

The Cowboys needed help in the backfield after letting running back Tony Pollard leave in free agency.

Dallas' current running back room consists of Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner.

If Elliott returns as the starter, the question will be how much tread is left on his tires.

Elliott turns 29 on July 22, one week before training camp is scheduled to begin.

He joined New England as a No. 2 running back last summer but found his way to the field more often when Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Elliott finished with a team-best 642 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 51 catches for 313 yards and two scores in 17 games (five starts) last season.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. He ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Fame members Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

"We have been made aware that Tank Dell was a victim of a shooting in Sanford, Fla., last night," the Texans said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "He sustained a minor wound but has been released from the hospital and he is in good spirits. We are in contact with him and his family and will provide more updates when appropriate but we ask that you please respect his privacy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the incident."

Dell was one of 10 people wounded in a shooting outside of a nightclub, according to media reports from Florida. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said none of the victims' injuries are life-threatening. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with attempted homicide and other charges.

The venue said in a Facebook post that it was rented out for a private event Saturday night and the owners are still gathering information.

Dell, 24, is a native of nearby Daytona Beach. He had a strong rookie season in 2023, with 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns over his first 11 games (eight starts), but he suffered a broken leg early in a Week 12 game against Denver and missed the rest of the season.

Hartman, who starred at Notre Dame after a five-year tenure at Wake Forest, will receive a $20,000 signing bonus and a $225,000 base salary guarantee from the Washington Commanders, NFL Network reported.

Slovis, who played at Southern California, Pittsburgh and then BYU, is signing with the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL Network reported.

Plumlee played at Ole Miss and then UCF, could be projected as a wide receiver in the NFL, and agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced.

Other quarterbacks who agreed to terms, according to NFL Network reporting, are Louisville's Jack Plummer (Carolina Panthers) and Western Kentucky's Austin Reed (Chicago Bears).

The Las Vegas Raiders announced they are signing former South Alabama QB Carter Bradley, son of longtime NFL coach Gus Bradley.

The Commanders also are signing Southern California running back Austin Jones, according to his agency, which will reunite him with former Trojans assistant coach Kliff Kingsbury, now Washington's offensive coordinator.

Players following in their father's footsteps include former FAU and Missouri State wide receiver Terique Owens, son of former NFL flanker Terrell Owens, signing with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Terrell Owens and multiple media reports.

Former Southern Miss running back Frank Gore Jr., son of the former NFL great at the same position, is signing with the Buffalo Bills, the NFL Network reported.

The Denver Broncos have committed a $25,000 signing bonus and $250,000 salary guarantee to former Memphis and Old Dominion running back Blake Watson, the NFL Network reported.

After Michigan had 13 players selected from the national championship team in the draft, four more former Wolverines are signing as free agents, ESPN reported. Defensive lineman Braiden McGregor (New York Jets), defensive back Josh Wallace (Los Angeles Rams), offensive lineman Drake Nugent (49ers) and offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart, who will be with his former coach Jim Harbaugh, the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Agents for the former Detroit Lions wideout announced the transaction Sunday. Terms were not disclosed.

"Thank you God," Cephus posted on X, along with the hashtag BillsMafia.

Cephus, 26, was a fifth-round pick by Detroit in 2020 and caught 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) from 2020-22.

The Lions released Cephus in April 2023 following his indefinite suspension for violating the league's gambling policy. The NFL reinstated Cephus and four other players from their gambling-related bans last week.

Arguably best known for being selected one pick ahead of Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ross will participate in rookie minicamp with the Philadelphia Eagles on a tryout basis, NFL Network reported Sunday.

The speedy wide receiver initially retired prior to training camp last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The ninth overall pick in 2017 by the Cincinnati Bengals, Ross' high selection was partly due to running the then-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.22 seconds) in NFL Combine history.

Production didn't follow as Ross caught just 51 passes for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns in 27 games (20 starts) over four seasons with the Bengals.

Ross requested a trade during the 2020 season that didn't come to fruition and later sustained a season-ending foot injury. He played in just three games that season.

In 2021, Ross played 10 games (one start) for the New York Giants and caught 11 passes for 224 yards and one score.

Ross played college football at Washington and was a standout in his final season when he caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns.

General manager Trent Baalke confirmed the widely anticipated moves on Saturday for the pair of 2021 first-round draft picks.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in that draft, will earn a guaranteed $25.7 million in 2025 and his former Clemson teammate Etienne (25th pick) is due $6.1 million on his option.

Lawrence, 24, made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and is 20-30 as a starter, passing for 11,770 yards with 58 touchdowns and 39 interceptions through three seasons. He has rushed for 964 yards and 11 scores.

Etienne, 25, missed his 2021 rookie season with a foot injury but has since posted back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He has gained 2,925 yards from scrimmage with 17 TDs in 34 games (29 starts).

That means the 2025 draft class should bring superior depth with quality talent available deep into the third day of next year's NFL draft.

Early expectations reveal the class is light at quarterback, with possibly only a couple of first-rounders at the position.

The defensive side of the ball will rebound next year. Mass returnees the past two years loaded the trenches inside and out.

If the top juniors ultimately declare, as many as six defensive tackles could go in the first round, which happened just once in the past decade.

1. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee

A modern day pass-rusher, Pearce is on the lighter side and will need some seasoning for NFL run defense, but he is a rare bender with outstanding first-step quickness. He's the early favorite to be the top pick and plays a premium position.

2. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

In the mold of A.J. Brown, Burden's strength through the catch point and with the ball in his hands stands out. His testing will be key to whether he can maintain a top offensive billing next year.

3. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

One of the best storylines in college football last season, Hunter's dual-threat ability catches attention, but his play as a cornerback is what NFL teams will love. He is an elite mover with ideal fluidity and ball skills for a pro defensive back.

4. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Reminiscent of Peter Skoronski, Banks is a technician with good strength and body control. He lacks ideal length for a tackle. His polish should get him drafted early, although there will be a split on whether to play tackle or guard.

5. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Walker's body type will be a strike in the mind of some scouts, but he is an extraordinary athlete for his size. There have been only a handful of players ever who can line up against offensive tackles at 350 pounds and succeed, and he's one of them.

6. Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Twitchy and versatile as a pass rusher, Nolen hasn't produced up to his physical talent yet, but teams will be captivated by the Texas A&M transfer's burst and agility.

7. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

A big-bodied target at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, McMillan has hands as soft as pillows and a feel for crafting openings at the catch point. His speed may end up being a point of deliberation for teams, but he looks like an early favorite for the top of next year's draft.

8. Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas

The rise of Darius Robinson toward the top of the 2024 draft is a good sign for Jackson next year, who has even more juice coming off the edge. While he isn't as bendy as the usual elite pass-rushers, his length and strength through the rush gives him a trump card against most blockers.

9. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

A defensive pillar during Michigan's run to the championship, Graham isn't as toolsy as Nolen or Walker, but his refined pass-rushing may translate more immediately as a pro.

10. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

Overlooked in the shadow of Brock Bowers, Delp lacks the same caliber of top-end speed once he gets the ball in his hands, but he is smoother out of his breaks and presents a similarly special receiving option as a tight end.

That was at the forefront of this year's first round, when Caleb Williams was selected No. 1 overall by Chicago. The former Southern California star is expected to walk in the door as the Bears' starting quarterback.

Seven picks later, the biggest shock of the first round took place when the Atlanta Falcons selected their own quarterback in Washington's Michael Penix Jr. That was despite having recently given Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal that includes $100 million guaranteed.

That was also despite Penix's lengthy injury history and that he's already an "older" rookie as he enters the league at 23 years old.

Oddsmakers quickly shortened Williams' odds of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. That includes at DraftKings, where he went from +250 pre-draft to +200 on Monday. By contrast, Penix's OROY odds plummeted from +1800 to +6000 as he's expected to spend at least the 2024 season mentoring behind Cousins.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. remained the second favorite behind Williams, but saw his odds lengthen slightly from +550 to +600 after going fourth overall to Arizona as many analysts projected.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels was another player to see his odds impacted, shortening to +650 after going No. 2 overall to Washington. He separated from his former teammate, wide receiver Malik Nabers, after both entered the draft at +800.

Meanwhile, Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy saw his odds skyrocket from +3500 to +1600 after Kansas City traded up in the first round to grab the speedster at No. 28. Many view his pairing with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid as an ideal fit in the mold of Tyreek Hill.

OFFENSIVE ROY ODDS (Pre-Draft, Post-Draft)*

Caleb Williams, QB, Southern Cal (+250, +200)

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (+550, +600)

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (+800, +650)

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (+1600, +800)

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU (+800, +1200)

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (+1100, +1600)

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (+3500, +1600)

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (+3500, +1600)

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (+1100, +2200)

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU (+2500, +2500)

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia (+2200, +3500)

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (+3500, +3500)

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington (+1800, +6000)

*DraftKings

Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner was the third defensive player off the board at No. 17 to Minnesota, but he leads the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds at +400. That's ahead of UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu (+700), who went two picks ahead of Turner to Indianapolis.

The other top names on the defensive side are cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (Philadelphia, +1000) and pass rushers Jared Verse (Los Angeles Rams, +1100) and Chop Robinson (Miami, +1300).

The Eagles made nine trades during the seven-round draft, reportedly the most since draft deals began being tracked in 1990.

One of the deals came to move up to the second round Friday to draft cornerback Cooper DeJean of Iowa.

Philadelphia made two trades in Friday's third round and three more in Saturday's fourth. They netted Clemson running back Will Shipley with one of the fourth-round trades.

One of the two fifth-round trades led to the choice of linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. from Clemson. The elder Trotter was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Eagles, playing for the team in 1998-2001, 2004-06 and 2009.

"It means a lot," the younger Trotter told reporters about being drafted by Philadelphia. "I know the type of legacy that he left with this organization, and the fans, how they treated him, and the coaches that he played for, and players he's played for with the Eagles.

"It definitely means a lot to come in and continue that legacy and help out the team any way that I can. I'm a hometown kid, and the Eagles were always my favorite team growing up."

Philadelphia made its final trade in the sixth round and was quiet in the seventh.

Before the Eagles began their trade frenzy, they used their first-round pick on Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall.

"Obviously, he's got a lot to prove as a small-school player," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told reporters. "The MAC is not the National Football League. We understand that. We've had tremendous success with big schools. To take a player like this from the MAC, he has to be special."

Selected with the 102nd overall pick, Franklin will see a familiar face in the Broncos' first-round selection: his Oregon quarterback, Bo Nix.

"It is very great to be back with my guy who I played with in college," Franklin said of Nix, who was taken by Denver with the 12th overall pick of the draft on Thursday.

The Broncos acquired the pick from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the 121st, 136th and 207th overall selections. Denver also received the 235th pick as part of the deal.

"Man, (I'm) just feeling the joy," Franklin said of his initial reaction to being selected by the Broncos. "I'm relaxed now. Just wanted to get my name called. Just a blessed feeling. Great to be selected. I don't even know what to say right now. It's just a dream come true. So glad somebody gave me a chance. The Broncos gave me a chance to go out there, showcase my talent, do whatever I need to do to help the team."

Franklin recorded Oregon single-season records in receiving yards (1,383), receiving touchdowns (14) and 100-yard receiving games (eight) to go along with his 81 catches in 2023. He also had 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Franklin was the first of five Oregon players to be drafted in the fourth round. The Minnesota Vikings chose cornerback Khyree Jackson at No. 108, the Atlanta Falcons selected defensive tackle Brandon Dorius with the next pick, the Green Bay Packers took safety Evan Williams at No. 111 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected running back Bucky Irving at No. 125.

Nix, ironically, was the last quarterback taken in the draft through the completion of the fourth round. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was taken by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 150 pick in the fifth round.

Also in the fourth round, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took to the draft stage to reveal the Detroit Lions' selection with the No. 126 pick. She used the chance to announce that Detroit had broken the record for draft attendance, set in 2019 in Nashville, Tenn., when 600,000 people attended.

"We have shown the world what the Motor City is all about," Whitmer said. "700,000 and counting."

For the record, the Lions selected 6-foot-8, 350-pound offensive tackle Giovanni Manu of British Columbia.

Jones addressed reporters on Friday after the completion of the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cowboys did not select a running back in the first two days of the three-day event.

"First of all, the draft's not over and that's a thought," Jones said, after being asked if the team's decision against selecting a running back thus far was about how the draft has progressed or if the team is comfortable with its ground attack.

"And it was a long time before a running back was taken in today's draft. But we also are keenly interested in seeing what the future might look like with Zeke."

Elliott played for Dallas from 2016-22 after the team selected him with the No. 4 overall section of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent last season with the New England Patriots.

While no public agreement is in place, the Cowboys met with Elliott and his agent earlier this week. Jones also said that Elliott's days as a starter are not behind him.

"I know this, I saw as recent as the end of the year, I saw Zeke play," Jones said. "And I will tell you he's good enough to be a starter."

The Cowboys appear to be in need of help in the backfield after letting running back Tony Pollard leave in free agency.

Dallas' current running back room consists of Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner.

Elliott, who turns 29 on July 22, stepped up last season after Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Elliott finished with a team-best 642 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 51 catches for 313 yards and two scores in 17 games (five starts) last season.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. He ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Fame members Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

Slater was the No. 13 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chargers, who used the No. 5 overall pick on Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt in this year's draft on Thursday.

Alt is expected to move to right tackle.

Since his hiring this offseason, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has emphasized the need to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.

"First of all, the quarterback that we have, protect him, protect his environment on the field," Harbaugh said Feb. 1 at his introductory news conference. "Protect him. Also, beef up the run game."

Slater will play the final season of his four-year, $16.63 million rookie deal in 2024, and he is slated to earn $19 million next season. If he doesn't sign a contract extension, Slater could become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

The Bills used the first pick of Round 2 (No. 33 overall) to select Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman. It marked the first selection of the draft for the Bills, who hope that Coleman will provide quarterback Josh Allen with a deep threat after the team traded wideout Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier this month.

The Chargers picked Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey moments later with the 34th overall pick. McConkey also could fill a void after Los Angeles sent veteran Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears last month.

Four of the next five picks were defensive linemen. The Atlanta Falcons took Clemson's Ruke Orhorhoro, the Washington Commanders drafted Illinois' Johnny Newton, the Tennessee Titans turned to Texas' T'Vondre Sweat and the Los Angeles Rams nabbed Florida State's Braden Fiske.

The only team that did not beef up its defensive line in that five-pick stretch was the New England Patriots, who drafted Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37 overall. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound receiver will team up with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, whom the Patriots took at No. 3 overall on Friday night.

Four consecutive cornerbacks went off the board in picks No. 40-43. The Philadelphia Eagles started the run by drafting Cooper DeJean, an All-American out of Iowa whom many had projected as a first-round pick.

The next three picks were Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry to the New Orleans Saints, Georgia's Kamari Lassiter to the Texans and Rutgers' Max Melton to the Arizona Cardinals.

Texas' Jonathon Brooks was the first running back to be selected this year. The Carolina Panthers picked Brooks at No. 46 overall after he rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games with the Longhorns in 2023.

Another Longhorns skill player, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, went to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 52. Mitchell, who hauled in 11 touchdowns among his 55 catches last season, will pair with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis.

The Detroit Lions, the host team of the draft this season, selected a cornerback for the second day in a row. The Lions chose Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at No. 61 one day after they tabbed Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 24 in Round 1.

The San Francisco 49ers closed out the second round by selecting Florida State cornerback Renardo Green. He was the third Seminoles player to be selected in the second round, joining Coleman and Fiske.

"A dream came true," the former University of Washington star said. "It's a dream I've had since I was a little kid. ... It's a special moment and something I will forever remember."

Penix's excitement far overshadowed any concern over his position in the draft.

"I'm here to do whatever I can to help this team win football games," he said. "As far as what anybody else feels about the decision that was made, I have no control over that. All I can control is what I do and what I bring to this team.

"For me I know that I'm gonna be a great leader not just on, but off the field as well. I'm gonna be a great person and great teammate as well."

As amicable as he seemed Friday, it was clear Penix has no shortage of confidence.

"Personally, I feel like I'm the best quarterback out of the draft," he said. "I'm excited that I landed here and I'm excited to get started."

He was repeatedly asked whether he had any problem with the Falcons' succession plan, with Penix sitting behind No. 1 quarterback Kirk Cousins.

"I'm going to put in a ton of work," he said. "There's not going to be a beat missed. ... You got to be ready. I'm gonna prepare, I'm gonna work just as (if) I'm the starter."

The Falcons recently signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, and the veteran QB was "confused" about the selection but reached out to Penix.

"Kirk he's an amazing guy," Penix said, adding that Cousins contacted him after the pick was made but wouldn't divulge details of their conversation.

"I'm gonna keep it between me and him right now but it was definitely a good conversation, and I'm super excited to work with him -- and he said he's the same with me."

Penix, the fourth quarterback drafted Thursday night out of a record-tying six first-round QB picks, led the Huskies to last season's national championship game where they were beaten by the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan's quarterback, JJ McCarthy, was selected 10th by the Minnesota Vikings and Oregon's Bo Nix went 12th to the Denver Broncos.

The draft's first three picks were quarterbacks: USC's Caleb Williams (to the Bears), LSU's Jayden Daniels (Commanders) and North Carolina's Drake Maye (Patriots).

Penix was asked about comparisons with another Falcons left-handed signal-caller, Michael Vick, and said Vick was his favorite quarterback growing up.

"He did great things here, obviously," Penix said. "I keep in contact with him. He's been a guy that I can reach out to whenever. He actually sent me a text congratulating me this morning."

Penix said a recent visit to Seattle by the Atlanta coaches to see him throw apparently cemented their belief.

"It's different whenever you see it up close, in person," he said. "I feel like I did a very good job in the workout. ...

"I feel like the offense is very good for me. ... I felt very comfortable and confident with all of it."