Probably the most draft’s greatest surprises got here on Friday evening when the Falcons old their supremacy variety on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That walk took place in spite of Kirk Cousins being at the books for the then 4 years (together with totally assured salaries in 2024 and ’25).
Cousins will, after all, input the approaching season atop Atlanta’s intensity chart. The presence of a successor within the method of Penix may just nonetheless ask over questions on a metamorphosis within the pecking form within the match of needy efficiency at the a part of the previous. Cousins — who used to be shocked through the Penix variety — used to be the supremacy free-agent passer on this while’s magnificence in spite of his pace (35) and the truth his 2023 season used to be short cut through an Achilles tear.
A gradual get started in 2024 or additional overlooked past caused through a unused shock may just supremacy to requires Penix to look the grassland. The Washington product handled enough of health-related problems with his personal in faculty, however his accumulation rose all over the predraft procedure to the purpose the place he used to be anticipated to listen to his identify referred to as within the first spherical. Nonetheless, Atlanta used to be no longer regarded as a major suitor for Penix. Proprietor Arthur Unoccupied reportedly performed a central function within the determination to make a choice him.
Raheem Morris is again in park because the Falcons’ head tutor later an intervening time stint with the crew in 2020, and he’s going to be tasked with overseeing the transition to Cousins below middle. When talking to the media following the arriving of Penix, Morris made it unclouded there isn’t a QB controversy coming into the 2024 season.
“We came up with a decision, this is what we plan to do,” Morris stated, by way of ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “And Kirk does not have to look over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass. Like, that is not the case. So I know I’m going to have to tell you guys once or twice that that is not the case. Like, we are here to go win, and we are here to go win it all. We are here to win as much as we can win.”
Certainly, expectancies will probably be prime for Atlanta’s offense later the crew struggled to discover a appropriate Matt Ryan alternative. Cousins will lend a prime flooring for the unit, however enough of consideration will probably be on Penix because the Falcons’ meant starter ailing the street. If Morris’ stance holds true throughout the marketing campaign (and most probably the 2025 season as neatly), on the other hand, Cousins will also be confident of his spot within the QB1 function.
