Arthur Smith’s epic failures influenced Atlanta’s selection of Michael Penix Jr.

The more you dig into the Atlanta Falcons’ reasoning for taking Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall with Kirk Cousins ​​on the roster, the more you see Arthur Smith’s influence. Raheem Morris interviewed for the head coaching job before the Falcons opted to go with the former Titans coordinator.

Part of what got Morris the job this time around was the reference to the first time with Atlanta. Raheem Morris warned the Falcons of the danger of not having a plan behind Matt Ryan. This seemed far less appealing than Arthur Smith offering success with Ryan Tannehill as proof.

Give Arthur Smith any quarterback with an ounce of talent and the coach thought the results would be telling. It was true, but not in the sense that Arthur Smith so strongly believed. After setting Matt Ryan up for failure, Deshaun Watson’s pursuit pushed Ryan out the back door and left Smith to choose what to do at quarterback.

Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder were the answers the head coach and front office landed on. Mariota spent time with Smith and the Titans, which influenced the decision-making that would follow and doom the next two seasons. Smith’s signing of Mariota wasn’t what doomed his time in Atlanta.

It was about drafting Desmond Ridder and refusing to start him when it was clear that Mariota was not giving the team a chance. Starting Ridder only when the season was over and there was not enough time to fully evaluate the rookie. This would not have been the end if Smith’s ego had allowed for a fair and accurate assessment.

Instead, the coach opted to put all his faith in Ridder and not draft another option or add a reliable bridge quarterback who could play in Smith’s system. The results were evident and Ridder’s time in Atlanta quickly came to an end with Smith doing exactly what he said he wouldn’t play musical chairs at quarterback.

This is the end of the reasoning behind Terry Fontenot, Arthur Blank and Raheem Morris choosing to draft Penix Jr. 8th overall despite signing Cousins. The franchise is so scarred by quarterback play under Smith that they will accept an above-average fear of returning to the quarterback limbo that Smith has firmly put them in.

This mentality of settling for being good but failing to take steps toward being great is why the movement continues to gain heat. Michael Penix Jr. is an exciting prospect and appears to be a great leader. However, Atlanta drafted the quarterback with a pick that could have impacted winning right now.

Teams that have a Super Bowl or bust mentality don’t spend a top twenty pick at quarterback unless they think they’ll need a starter. This decision was a direct result of Arthur Smith’s failure to take the position in Atlanta.