Atlanta Falcons quarterback mismanagement set both players up for failure

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. signed his rookie contract with the team this week. The move makes Atlanta’s quarterback room official, with Penix joining Kirk Cousins ​​​​and Taylor Heinicke. The decision to draft Penix 8th overall after signing Kirk Cousins ​​is going to continue to be criticized and questioned.

Despite all the questioning based on this decision, this is not an indictment of Michael Penix Jr. The young quarterback appears to be a solid prospect and could work in the right offense. The problem isn’t Penix or buying the young quarterback’s future.

The problem for Atlanta is the continued quarterback controversy that Penix might stir up and not follow his own logic. Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, Justin Fields and Jimmy G. were all on the market. Four quarters would have been much cheaper bridge options and easy to leave if they struggle.

Not only allowing you to draft Penix 8th overall, but also filling out your talent roster with the money you spent on Kirk Cousins. Any quarterback controversy is avoided, with either the veteran bridge player playing well enough to fill the position or the team handing over the reigns to Penix.

If the front office fully believed in Penix Jr., this is the most sensible route to take. The flip side is that if they fully believed in Kirk Cousins, the team owed it to their players and fans to make winning moves now. Cousins ​​​​is in his thirties and enjoys a very well-paid contract. With this deal in mind, your draft picks become essential for you to have a chance at finding key production.

Spending the 8th overall pick on a player you bench is in many ways unfair to Penix and Cousins. Yes, both players are well compensated, but neither of them was given the best path to success.

Penix is ​​stuck behind Cousins ​​for at least two years, while the veteran Cousins ​​could have been added a valuable piece to help the team’s efforts in 2024. Not only that, but now, Every time Cousins ​​turns the ball over or struggles at a key moment, what will the conversation be?

Atlanta poorly organized the move and managed to botch the execution not once but twice. First, failing to inform his quarterback of the pick and with the recent news, the team declined a free 4th round pick.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that the team will take a step forward during the 2024 season. Just as there are reasons for frustration and distrust with how the front office has process to form this team. Maybe Michael Penix Jr. is the franchise quarterback they think he is. Even if that’s the case, Atlanta will continue to be criticized for wasting the cheapest years and biggest window of competition. No matter how you slice it, short of a Super Bowl win, the front office fumbled key pieces of the offseason.