The Falcons shocked the entire NFL world when they drafted Michael Penix Jr. after giving Kirk Cousins $180 million in free agency less than two months prior.
That kind of decision will bring about scrutiny, and it did immediately. In the middle of the offseason, there wasn’t much to talk about other than the Cousins-Penix dynamic in Atlanta, so we did until we were blue in the face.
Unfortunately, those conversations were only beginning. Before the start of the season, it was obvious that with every misstep Cousins would be questioned, and calls for Penix would come. We didn’t have to wait long.
Kirk Cousins came out in his Falcons debut and fell flat on his face with Atlanta’s offense. He didn’t look comfortable in the pocket, was indecisive in his decision-making, and overall poor in most facets of his game.
Calls for Michael Penix came, but they were always trivial. Rookie quarterback play around the league should serve as a reminder to Falcons fans that the alternative to Cousins isn’t going to be better.
Cousins Week 2 performance against the Eagles, particularly his game-winning drive when he went 5-of-6 for 70 yards and a touchdown, quieted the storm for the 8th overall pick. It was always silly to call for Penix because Cousins is a better signal caller in every single way other than pure arm talent.
But rational takes aren’t what pays the bills. I guess for some people, it does. Uncle Colin Cowherd took a victory lap on victory Tuesday, patting himself on the back for his “brilliant” defense of the Falcons taking Michael Penix with Kirk Cousins under contract.
"When they drafted Michael Penix, you all freaked out. There was just one voice in America who defended Atlanta, a beloved sportscaster here in Los Angeles. Me."
— @ColinCowherd reacts to Falcons win over Eagles pic.twitter.com/UazSDmDW2f
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 17, 2024
Look, it could work out; however, it may not. It’s certainly not an efficient use of resources from the Falcons standpoint. But Cowherd will be there to tell you he told you so either way.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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