Expert calls Michael Penix Jr. Falcons’ best offseason move

Since the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons have been the subject of heated takes.

After all, they did do something that person saw it coming.

Selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with no. The 8th overall pick, after signing Kirk Cousins ​​to a 4-year, $180 million contract, seemed a bit…useless? On the one hand, this argument is very valid. The position has solidified. There wasn’t really any need for quarterback, at least not in the top 10.

Since things have calmed down, some have softened Penix’s choice and even made sense of it.

Athleticism Mike Sando recently wrote an article (subscription required) about his favorite offseason move from each team, and Falcons fans might be surprised to learn that when it came to Atlanta, he liked Penix to pick the best among all the other movements of the organization. do.

Sando noted that while he doesn’t necessarily have to “approve” of using the eighth overall pick on Penix, he applauds Atlanta for improving the quarterback room, which is why he chose that move as his favorite of the Falcons offseason. ‘ perspective.

There could have been several explanations for the Falcons choosing Penix. One of them could have been that Atlanta took the best player on their roster, and if they had Penix higher than any other player, so be it. Terry Fontenot followed his instinct and stuck to it. Bravo to him for his audacity.

But Sando makes an excellent point. The quarterback position has gone from a gigantic question mark to now having two capable starters. Injuries happen. Unforeseen circumstances tend to arise in this league, and having one of Penix’s best insurance plans could pay off for the Falcons.

The majority of NFL teams have a true backup quarterback; meaning the guy behind the starter is someone who almost everyone would agree is a “backup”, not someone a franchise could rely on for several years.

The Falcons are now an exception. Their current backup quarterback could very well be a franchise quarterback. If anything, people might take the opposite approach to most and call it a smart move, like Sando. The most important position in football has become the greatest strength of this team.

Tell us again, why is this a bad thing? Kudos to Sando for taking a stand.