Could the Falcons Keep Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins?

It’s practically an age-old tradition throughout the NFL. It pits the established veteran against the young gun. Such is the main course for the Falcons during their mandatory mini-camp. It’s Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. on full display.

Sometimes controversies at the QB position stem from a “flash in the pan” moment. Cowboys fans will recall a pair of scoring drives by Gary Hogeboom at RFK in the 82’ NFC Championship which would blossom into musical chairs for parts of the next two seasons between Hogeboom and Danny White.

The question of “why” will remain front and center. “Why” did Atlanta give Kirk Cousins 40 million dollars only to turn around and draft Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection? The answer is uncertainty and organizational discord within the front office, resulting in a gross miscalculation on the future course. It’s the same reason the Patriots initially had Drake Maye holding a clipboard in favor of Jacoby Brissett. Plain and simple, these are mistakes. By large measure, Atlanta was spared these types of headaches given the productive tenure of Matt Ryan. Since his retirement, it’s been open season.

Every franchise has made it. Remember when Scott Mitchell subbed for an injured Dan Marino during the 93 season, only to have the Lions throw a huge guarantee at him? He won three of seven starts that particular year, but Detroit was convinced they had the missing piece for Barry Sanders in his prime.

They failed to win a single playoff game with Scott Mitchell under center.

I view Cousins as a super expensive insurance policy. I know that doesn’t sit well, but at least you’re not sitting with Daniel Jones who the Colts forked over 14 million dollars to for the 25’ season.

You could place the Falcons’ current reality under the headline “It could be worse”. This phrase was the equivalent of a Jedi mind trick often used by my parents on my siblings and I during our childhood. It’s not difficult to find organizations without the answer at QB. Look within the division and the Saints will be drawing straws. Or do a short rewind to last summer. Remember when the Raiders burned the midnight oil in their attempts to choose between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. Any football fan could’ve saved them the effort. Neither guy was the solution.

It could be worse.