The most stunning move in the first round of the NFL Draft came at pick No. 8, which was held by the Atlanta Falcons.
After signing Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins to a major four-year deal worth $180 million, most thought Atlanta would address other major needs in the first round.
Surprisingly, the team selected Washington signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th pick.
Here is what GM Terry Fontenot had to say in response to a question regarding Cousins’ reaction to the pick:
“We wouldn’t share that,” Fontenot told the Atlanta media Thursday evening.
#Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and coach Raheem Morris on Kirk Cousins’ reaction to their Round 1 stunner: drafting Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall. ( @AtlantaFalcons) pic.twitter.com/tSDXacAd4z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 26, 2024
Head coach Raheem Morris also stated, “It’s never a right time to talk to a quarterback about those things, and reactions are always going to be private…He’s a competitor.”
It’s hard to blame Cousins if he was upset.
This move was stunning because the thought was that the Falcons had already locked up the quarterback position for the foreseeable future.
But now, there is a timetable for Cousins’ Falcons career.
Also, do the Falcons anticipate Penix sitting for four years, which would almost be his whole rookie contract?
It is a very fascinating situation, and one that Green Bay Packers fans can relate to.
The Packers drafting Aaron Rodgers to replace Brett Favre, then drafting Jordan Love to replace Aaron Rodgers is something that the Falcons are maybe trying to copy.
With the All-American in Penix already being super talented, perhaps they want him to take in more knowledge before playing important snaps.
When he takes over in three or four years, he will have a great combination of arm talent and NFL knowledge.
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