Why did Atlanta Falcons take Penix when they have Kirk Cousins?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

In what was likely the most surprising pick in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected UW Huskies star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.

The pick comes as such a surprise because the Falcons signed QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract during the offseason. However, Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered during Week 8 of the 2023 season while he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings. The typical timeline to return from a torn Achilles is 9-12 months.

During Seattle Sports’ NFL Draft coverage, former NFL players Brock Huard, Dave Wyman and Michael Bumpus broke down what Penix’s selection means for the UW star and the Atlanta Falcons.

“If you’re Kirk Cousins, you’re watching this tonight and you and your Kohl’s t-shirt are like, ‘What? What did we just do?'” Huard said.

Link to tweet

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1775197/uw-huskies-atlanta-falcons-michael-penix-nfl-draft/

[calguy]

1. Because we all saw what happened in Minnesota when Cousins went down

They didn't have a backup QB, and their season was over. Cousins, in my opinion, is an overrated, overpaid underachiever. He's never taken a team far into the playoffs, and his career is definitely waning. With Penix they have a young, talented prospect who they hope can come in if Cousins gets injured, and a few years from now he'll be a reliable starter for them.

I can't bame them for preparing for Cousins' eventual demise even though he hasn't played a game with them yet.

[Postal Grunt]

2. Mr Cousins will be fine

Kirk Cousins got a $100 Million guaranteed money clause in the contract he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Unless ATL has an escape clause that's unbreakable or hidden somewhere, Mr Cousins will be able to soothe any hurt feelings in his future.

[SallyHemmings]

3. I'm always surprised when QBs are surprised

Just by the nature of the game, a team would be silly not to have a backup.

[Angleae]

4. Except you don't draft backups in the first round. You draft your stars in the first.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. His Guarantee Really Only Covers 2 Years

By then he'll be nearly 38.
38. Everybody isn't Brady, able to play into their 40s.
Penix is not a finished product but has enormous potential. Two years behind a vet may let him become like Jordan Love. He wasn't ready as a rookie either, but he's pretty darned good now.
Remember, Mahomes didn't start his rookie year either.

[Angleae]

6. Pennix also has enormous disadvantages that I doublt he'll ever be able to overcome.

He panics under pressure, can't hit the middle of the field, and breaks when hit. Basically, he's Russell Wilson with Derek Carr's "grace" under pressure, and Jimmy Garoppolo's durability.