The Atlanta Falcons shocked many by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, despite already signing Kirk Cousins earlier in the offseason. Cousins was reportedly unaware of the team’s decision to draft Penix, leaving him surprised by the move. While it is unclear if Penix and Cousins will battle for the starting job or if Penix will serve as a backup, it is notable that the Falcons invested heavily in Cousins with a four-year, $180 million contract. Penix, who will turn 24 this season, adds an interesting dynamic to the Falcons’ quarterback situation and raises questions about their long-term plans.
Despite the surprise pick, it is expected that Cousins will remain the starting quarterback for the Falcons in the 2024 season, assuming he has fully recovered from his torn achilles injury. Cousins, a seasoned NFL quarterback, has had success with the Minnesota Vikings and recently led them to the playoffs. With offensive weapons like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons should be competitive with Cousins at the helm. However, the addition of Penix raises questions about the team’s future plans and how they will manage both quarterbacks moving forward.
The Falcons’ decision to draft Penix No. 8 overall, despite their recent investment in Cousins, adds an extra layer of complexity to their quarterback situation. It remains to be seen how the team plans to utilize both quarterbacks and whether Penix will be given the opportunity to compete for the starting job. With Cousins turning 36 and coming off an injury, the Falcons may view Penix as a potential successor or backup option. The move has generated speculation about the team’s long-term strategy and how they plan to develop Penix alongside Cousins.
The Falcons’ selection of Penix in the first round of the draft caught many by surprise, including Cousins himself, who was reportedly stunned by the team’s decision. While he was aware that the Falcons were considering a quarterback in the draft, Cousins did not anticipate that his potential successor would be chosen in the first round. The move has been described as a costly smokescreen, given the significant investment in Cousins and the unexpected selection of Penix. It will be interesting to see how the Falcons navigate the situation and whether Penix will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job in the future.
As the Falcons move forward with both Cousins and Penix on their roster, the quarterback situation will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. The team’s decision to draft Penix as a potential successor to Cousins raises questions about their long-term plans at the position and how they intend to develop both quarterbacks. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, the Falcons have a talented offensive core that should support either quarterback, providing them with the opportunity to compete at a high level in the upcoming season. Ultimately, the success of the Falcons’ quarterback tandem will hinge on how the team manages the unique dynamics of having two talented signal-callers on their roster.
