The Atlanta Falcons made a shocking choice taking former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 choose within the 2024 NFL Draft.
Amongst these shocked by the choice was their present projected beginning quarterback, Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons referred to as Cousins after they have been on the clock to let him know they have been taking Penix, his agent, Mike McCartney, informed The Athletic. When Cousins signed with the staff this offseason, the Falcons informed him they’d be drafting a quarterback within the later rounds of this draft. He was surprised after they took one within the first spherical, and Cousins’ greatest concern is that the choose doesn’t assist the staff for the upcoming season.
A part of the rationale Atlanta chosen Penix is that it believes it gained’t have a prime choose in coming drafts with Cousins below heart the subsequent few years, a staff supply informed The Athletic.
The Falcons signed Cousins this offseason to a four-year deal price $180 million, together with $100 million assured. The 35-year-old quarterback is recovering from the torn Achilles tendon he sustained in Week 8 final season. Cousins stated at his introductory information convention in March that he might take drops and make passes, but when added, “I feel the minute I must depart the pocket is the place you’d say, ‘Yeah, he’s nonetheless recovering from an Achilles.’”
Opinions diversified on Penix
I didn’t assume the Falcons would use the eighth choose for Penix, that’s for positive, however I do assume Penix was a very attention-grabbing prospect on this draft.
Two former head coaches with robust monitor data have been among the many folks I spoke with through the draft course of who had Penix as their No. 2 quarterback on this draft, behind Caleb Williams. It appeared like only a few folks agreed with this evaluation.
My really feel throughout Tremendous Bowl week was that Penix could be passed by the center of the primary spherical, however the latest chatter surrounding him made me really feel like that was a stretch. With quarterbacks, there will be nice volatility. If a staff loves one, the staff ought to take him. And when groups really feel set on the place already, they merely don’t choose them more often than not. That’s how somebody like Penix can go sooner than anticipated whereas an Aaron Rodgers waits longer than anticipated. — Mike Sando, Nationwide NFL author
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