The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft took place last night in Detroit, Michigan. It was an exciting time for teams to add top talent to their roster. The first four to six picks went as predicted by most mock drafts. Three QBs and two WRs were gone in the first six picks. With the 8th pick in the draft, many analysts assumed the Falcons would take the first defensive player off the board.
However, Atlanta made a move that no one expected. Even though the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year deal just this offseason, they still decided to sign a quarterback. They went with 2023 Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr. of Washington. League insiders reported that Cousins was stunned when he learned the Falcons would be taking a QB in the first round. After the first 32 picks in the first round, there is no doubt that the Falcons’ acquisition of Penix Jr. was the strangest.
When will Michael Penix Jr. be the Atlanta Falcons starting QB?
Kirk Cousins was the most expensive smokescreen in the history of the sport. https://t.co/PhKiuvvxGY
– Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 26, 2024
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Falcons have contacted Kirk Cousins regarding the team’s selection of a QB. However, it wasn’t until the Falcons were already on the clock. What should Cousins do? His owner and GM say no. That wouldn’t be a good sign since Cousins hasn’t even played a game for the Falcons yet. Terry Fontenot, the Falcons’ GM, said this was not an easy decision. He mentioned how they are trying to build a sustainable, winning football team. Atlanta believes they accomplished that by signing Michael Penix Jr.
The first four seasons of Michael Penix Jr.’s college career were rocky, to say the least. Injuries affected his playing time and Penix Jr. eventually transferred after the 2021 season. During his time in college, he had to recover from four different season-ending injuries. Most players would give up and not want to continue after being unable to play a full season for four years in a row. Luckily, the Washington Huskies took a chance on Penix Jr. and he played at a high level in his final two years. Penix Jr.’s 2023 season was his best season, finishing 14-1 and losing to Michigan in the National Championship. He threw for a career-high 4,903 yards and 36 passing touchdowns.
The Falcons GM talks to the team owner like someone fighting for his job after taking Michael Penix
pic.twitter.com/9iJat5O2KY— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 26, 2024
What were the Falcons thinking when they drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th pick? ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Kirk Cousins’ agent told him that the Pro Bowl QB wasn’t particularly happy. In addition to drafting his replacement, they haven’t selected anyone to help improve the team in 2024, according to Cousins. Not how you want your relationship with your franchise QB to begin. Kirk Cousins is 35 and has a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. At his best, Cousins is a top-5 QB in the NFL who has shown he can still throw the ball and be a productive player. Going into next season, Cousins is their QB1, but he’s not comfortable knowing Michael Penix Jr. could replace him in the short term.