The Atlanta Falcons had their sights set on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and are willing to exercise patience for him to eventually lead the offense as the starter.
It seems that the Falcons may even be willing to wait four or five years for Penix to become the starter, which is an absolutely awful timeline for a quarterback who is already 24 years old.
“If you believe in a quarterback, you have to take him. And if he sits for four or five years, that’s a great problem to have because we’re doing so well at that position. So, it’s as simple as, if you see a guy you believe in at that position, you have to take him.”
In a surprising move, the Falcons nabbed Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, making waves amidst the backdrop of Kirk Cousins’ recent signing to a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract.
The selection of Penix prompted a reaction from Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, who voiced his client’s frustration at seeing a quarterback drafted in the same offseason he secured a long-term deal with the team.
“There is frustration and confusion coming from Cousins’ camp because Atlanta did not use its first-round pick to make the team better in 2024.”
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, is currently recovering from a significant Achilles injury. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that he was aware the Falcons might bring in another QB but didn’t anticipate it happening so early in the draft.
When questioned about Cousins’ response to the news, both Falcons GM Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris remained tight-lipped, opting not to delve into specifics.
While Fontenot’s decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. showcased conviction in the player’s potential, it also raised eyebrows when he hinted at a scenario where Penix might ride the bench for several years.
At 24 years old, Penix will be approaching his thirties by the time he potentially assumes a starting role, dampening the advantage of securing a young quarterback on a rookie deal for cost control.
Fontenot may have sought to reassure the fanbase of the Atlanta Falcons’ strategic foresight, but his post-draft press conference fell short of achieving that goal.
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