Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris faced backlash after drafting former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, shortly after signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a lucrative deal. Cousins was reportedly unaware of the team’s plans until they were on the clock, leading to frustration from his camp. Fontenot defended the pick, calling Penix a “high-caliber” player and emphasizing that Cousins is still the team’s quarterback. When pressed about Cousins’ reaction, the pair remained tight-lipped, noting that reactions are private and comparing the situation to the Green Bay Packers’ drafting of Jordan Love in 2020 as a backup for Aaron Rodgers.
Despite the controversy surrounding the pick, Fontenot and Morris stood by their decision to draft Penix and praised his potential as a future starter for the team. They referenced the “Green Bay model” as a justification for drafting a quarterback even with an established starter like Cousins on the roster, suggesting that Penix could potentially sit for years before taking over. The duo remained steadfast in their support of Cousins, emphasizing that the addition of Penix was a strategic move for the future of the team’s quarterback position. They also hinted at the possibility of developing Penix behind Cousins, similar to how Love was brought along behind Rodgers in Green Bay.
Fontenot and Morris faced scrutiny in their press conference following the draft, with questions about Cousins’ reaction and the timing of informing him about the pick. The pair maintained that reactions are private and spoke highly of Cousins as a competitor, noting that he, like the rest of the team, is a professional who would handle the situation accordingly. Despite the initial shock and confusion surrounding the pick, the Falcons’ leadership remained confident in their decision to prioritize long-term planning for the team’s quarterback position.
The decision to draft Penix over other available options was met with skepticism from fans and analysts, who questioned the timing and rationale behind selecting a quarterback with an established starter in place. Fontenot and Morris defended their choice, citing the importance of securing talented players for the future regardless of the current roster composition. They expressed optimism about Penix’s potential impact on the team and their commitment to developing him alongside Cousins, signaling a long-term approach to building a strong quarterback depth chart for the Falcons.
Despite the initial shock and controversy surrounding their decision, Fontenot and Morris remained resolute in their belief that drafting Penix was the right move for the Falcons’ future. They acknowledged the challenges of balancing the present and future needs of the team, particularly when it comes to the quarterback position, but maintained that adding a player of Penix’s caliber was necessary for long-term success. While the pick may have raised eyebrows initially, the Falcons’ leadership expressed confidence in their choice and their commitment to developing both Penix and Cousins as key pieces of the team’s future success.
