A couple of months ago, one might have expected the Falcons to take a quarterback with the 8th overall pick. But as the picture became more clear, it was evident that it would be extremely difficult to move up into the top three picks to take one of the blue chip quarterback prospects. Then, the opportunity to pursue Kirk Cousins emerged, as the Vikings refused to seriously commit to the veteran quarterback, allowing the Falcons to swoop him and sign him to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Though it’s a four-year deal, it’s essentially a two-year contract with $100 million guaranteed. The Falcons can get out after two years with minimal dead cap if things don’t work out, so they still could potentially be looking for a succession plan in this year’s draft. Of all the quarterbacks that might be available in the first couple of rounds, Michael Penix Jr. appears to be the one that has caught their eye.
Per NFL insider Albert Breer, the Falcons will work out Penix privately in Seattle with a lot of team personnel in attendance.
The Falcons are sending a sizable group to Seattle to conduct a private workout with Washington QB Michael Penix today, per sources. HC Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot are among those in the traveling party, which left this morning.
Atlanta holds the eighth overall pick.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 5, 2024
Breer mentioning the Falcons’ 8th overall pick is somewhat comical. The Penix hype does seem to be gaining steam as the draft approaches, but it’s impossible to imagine the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract and then turning around and taking a quarterback with the 8th overall pick.
That would be gross negligence. By inking Cousins to a massive deal, the Falcons signaled they are trying to contend right now. It’s no longer a one-foot-in, one-foot-out approach. Their chips are in the middle, and every resource available needs to be used on guys who can help the team contend for a Super Bowl over the next few years.
Regardless of my feelings on Penix (I don’t think he’s worthy of a first-round pick), the Falcons spending their first-round selection on a quarterback would be one of the more foolish things I’ve ever seen an organization do. With that being said, this is the Falcons. They’re known for making some head-scratching decisions.
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Photographer: Jesse Beals/Icon Sportswire
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