Ever since the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. using their 8th overall pick, instead of celebrating the momentous achievement of a young quarterback, the entire focus of sports media has been on Kirk Cousins’ reaction and grievances per se.
In a viral clip after the draft selection, Falcons’ GM Terry Fontenot was seen nervously explaining the owner Arthur Blank something, which can only be interpreted as Penix Jr.’s selection despite signing Cousins in a huge deal, just last month. The Falcons faced a questioning face not only from their newly signed starting quarterback, but also from many within the NFL fraternity.
However, if anyone is supporting the Falcons’ draft selection, it’s former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. During the recent episode of Undisputed, Johnson expressed his viewpoint on the discussion of whether or not the Falcons made the right move with Penix Jr.
There is a need, there is a want. They [Atlanta Falcons] wanted Michael Penix [Jr.]. Did they need Michael Penix this year? No. Do they need him next year? Maybe, Maybe not--I hear everybody..questioning the moves Atlanta made at the quarterback position…They didn’t wanna pass on a quarterback they can get this year as opposed to waiting two years from now, a year from now, and not knowing what’s on the board. Keyshawn Johnson said
Moreover, he emphasized the point that it’s not easy to find a potential quarterback to take the lead. That’s why when the Falcons saw potential in Penix Jr., they didn’t want to wait.
Falcons draft Michael Penix Jr. with eyes on the future
Johnson highlighted that it’s normal for a first-round draft pick to sit out his first or two seasons in the NFL. And that’s what the Falcons have in mind, while also training him to be a successor of Cousins in the future– just like how the Green Bay Packers did with Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers.
They had an opportunity to grab a guy they can potentially turn into something for him. We don’t know what these quarterbacks are gonna be. All we can know is he can be the worst guy to ever be picked in the National Football League or he can be the best guy to ever be picked.
Keyshawn Johnson added
The analyst concluded his point by saying in his opinion; the Falcons made just the right decision by drafting Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
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