The Falcons general manager reveals why Kirk Cousins was “disappointed” with the unexpected choice of Michael Penix Jr.
On draft night, Atlanta stunned the football world.
The Atlanta Falcons, who had just showered Kirk Cousins with a four-year, $180 million contract that includes $90 million fully guaranteed, selected University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick on the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft. This was the most startling moment of the first night of the draft. Penix’s potential to go off the board in the top half of the first round had been much discussed recently. Some even predicted that he would end up in Atlanta, but the latter appeared too unlikely to be true.
Sadly, it did occur. Cameras seemed to capture general manager Terry Fontenot discussing the choice with owner Arthur Blank during the draft broadcast.
And Fontenot gave the media and Falcons supporters an explanation during his press conference following the draft.
Fontenot asserted, “You have to take a quarterback if you believe in him.” We’re performing so well at that position, so it’s a nice problem to have if he sits for four or five years. Therefore, it’s as easy as having to accept a guy you believe in if you see him in that situation.”
He’ll also need to explain it to Cousins, who seemed “shocked” and “disappointed” about the decision and who allegedly wasn’t informed about it. We had no clue this was going to happen, his agent said to NFL Network. The truth is that nobody in the league knew this was going to happen. We were not warned. The Falcons called Kirk while they were in overtime. The first thing we heard was that. It was never discussed in any dialogue.”
The Falcons “had conviction on Penix from wire-to-wire,” according to ESPN, and after his Pro Day, they dispatched eight coaches and front office executives to Seattle to visit with him. Fontenot, head coach Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, assistant general manager Kyle Smith, and quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates were among the group.
If that’s the case, it makes it even more strange that they gave Cousins such a big contract without telling him they were considering taking this route. Fontenot claims that having a highly-drafted quarterback sit four or five years behind a veteran is a good problem. However, this argument becomes problematic when you consider that the quarterback in question will be 29 years old when his rookie contract expires and the team will then have to pay him to stay on the team even though they haven’t seen him play by then. Given that Fontenot has led the Falcons to three consecutive 7-10 seasons and they are now 21-30, the regime that drafted him could not even be in place by then.
Atlanta clearly has its own opinion on the selection, and maybe in the future the Falcons will be able to look back and laugh at everyone who doubted their strategy if Cousins performs well for a few years, retires, and Penix becomes a star. But going about things this way at the time was almost certainly not a good approach, and anyone looking back on it later will have to admit that at the very least.
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