The Atlanta Falcons were initially praised for signing free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins over the offseason, but that narrative changed once the team selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Analysts around the league roasted the Falcons for taking Penix instead of a player who could help them in 2024. This became one of the most controversial storylines of the offseason, but people are starting to come around to the idea.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm listed Atlanta’s quarterback situation as the most overblown offseason storyline in a new feature:
While the Falcons haven’t made the playoffs since the 2017 season, they didn’t get rid of Matt Ryan until 2022, proving their issues went beyond the quarterback position.
However, the roster has come a long way over the last few years and you could argue that a competent QB would have led the team to the playoffs in 2023 and 2024.
As Edholm goes on to point out, the addition of Penix probably didn’t sit well with Cousins, but the 12-year veteran doesn’t really have a right to complain after signing a four-year, $180 million deal:
As much as it confused the rest of the league, adding an insurance policy for a 36-year-old coming off a serious injury isn’t the craziest idea in the world. The risk comes down to potentially passing on a player who could have helped the team this season.
Ultimately, the move will be judged by how far the Falcons go in 2024. Make sure to check out our pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction for Atlanta.
