The Atlanta Falcons’ reasoning behind drafting Michael Penix Jr. is clear

The selection of Michael Penix Jr. will continue to face criticism and questions heading into the 2024 season. Rightfully so when you spent $180 million on Kirk Cousins ​​and granted the veteran the same number of years as a rookie contract. The question that’s going to continually be asked in Atlanta is: If you like Penix Jr. so much, why did you sign Kirk Cousins?

The answer to this question should be postponed for another time. For now, let’s look at why this decision makes sense even if it was a bad decision. The hiring of Raheem Morris was based in part on the head coach telling the front office that he warned them about not having a backup plan behind Matt Ryan.

Whether it was the front office or the owner, the Falcons burned the bridge without Matt Ryan letting him know they were pursuing Deshaun Watson. Ryan was traded to the Colts and the Falcons fortunately failed to land Watson only to be stuck with Marcus Mariota.

Arthur Smith’s ego wouldn’t allow the obvious quarterback desperation to factor into either of the next two years. Smith fully believed he could turn Mariota or Desmond Ridder into competent starters and it cost Atlanta two lost seasons. These were wasted years where Atlanta could have had Matt Ryan still learning a quarterback behind him.

That’s the entire argument for why the team drafted a quarterback behind Penix Jr. It’s the fear of ever finding themselves in that situation. They believe the rookie can become a franchise option with 2-3 years behind Kirk Cousins ​​and adapt to the league.

It’s not a horrible plan and it makes sense even if it ignores the possibility of adding a starter to a potential playoff team. Atlanta is more focused and satisfied with quarterback stability rather than doing everything they can to win right now.

Atlanta taking Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall depends on the franchise’s situation and how they lost the stability brought by Matt Ryan. Drafting Michael Penix Jr. is an attempt to remedy that mistake and set up a decade of stability for the quarterback.