Falcons Drafting Penix Is “Biggest Head Scratcher” Rich Eisen Has Seen in 21 Years of Covering Draft

[@yahooyates]

It's not that they shouldn't have taken Penix, it's that they shouldn't have signed Cousins, given their estimation of Penix.

[@rice_frying_shrimp]

that's how I see it as well... given this evaluation it would have made so much sense to go after an elite edge rusher on the free agent market and spending #8 overall on any guy between Penix and Nix for the most part given that they are day 1 ready OR spending it on McCarthy and signing a guy like Gardner Minshew as the bridge. that team as a whole would probably have been better given that D-line and QB would have been addressed, unlike now where we have a QB option if Kirk goes down but basically didn't improve much at pass rush (also still no news of whether we re-sign Calais Campbell or not, which given this pick should be their number 1 priority if trading for Trey Hendrickson doesn't work out)

[@corvus2512]

Indeed, it’s seems Blank wanted to follow the Jordan Love route and I can see it working but it is bizarre, Cousins will only be the QB for 1-2 years unless he is amazing which means Penix will take over at around 25 yrs old like Love but Penix seems like the QB that is ready now and doesn’t really need to sit for a year or 2

[@chavy-_-4690]

Penix will be 28. They’re going to use up Kirk

[@asceticblur]

💯

[@drewmorrison]

At the very least they shouldn’t have signed cousins to 4 years

[@MBD-BDBF]

Here’s the problem. They always knew they had the 8th pick, and they always knew (or had reasonable estimation) that Penix would be there. Which makes it completely inexcusable. You have 2 unhappy quarterbacks and now an unhappy owner because the org is getting dragged nationally. I like going to dinner, I like going to a movie. I dont schedule them both at 8pm

[@johnlinks]

Penix is probably happy because he got picked early and gets more money. Cousins should be and is definitely pissed at what happened. Still a good team, but a wasted pick

[@arthurbynum]

Well. I mean. Dinner and a movie?? 😂

[@davidrowland1266]

I don't mean to blow your mind but there are these places called CineBistros that serve dinner and show movies at the same time.

[@Gamma_Labs]

Good comparison. Timeline doesn't make sense. Your biggest advantage of a rookie qb is their contract. At best, 3/5 of that benefit is now out the window. Even cutting kirk in 2yrs triggers a 28m cap hit.

[@Gamma_Labs]

So you take a qb top 10 and you're getting a 2 year rookie contract. Baffling.

[@jaymac7349]

That Falcons post-draft interview is an SNL sketch 😂

[@ejbpraise]

😂😂😂 RIGHT! I'm excited to see it! 😂😂😂

[@Zappy1210]

Falcons : "Alexa, draft a cornerback." Alexa : "Okay, drafting a quarterback" Falcons : NOOO!!!!!!!

[@larrylong9367]

Good ONE !!!!!

[@kahall850]

😂

[@VisionMusicWorks]

😂😂😂😂 You win! 🏆

[@lovemoves3312]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 best comment! 🥇

[@donaldcarpenter5328]

They probably wanted that CORNERBACK out of Washington..but @ # 8??? lol

[@71jlu]

Look who is in Atl front office. Former Bear GM Ryan Pace. In chicago, he signed Mike Glennon then drafted Mitch Trubisky. Then he signed Andy Dalton and drafted Justin Fields. This has his finger prints all over it

[@anaihilator]

Nice observation. And I remember thinking why would the Bears give a career backup in Glennon a big contract and then they turned around and drafted Trubisky and it was just 🤔

[@djturner-smith6380]

This is hilarious because I was wondering why they did this and the answer is really because Ryan Pace is just dumb.

[@BLKSHARK_43]

😂😂😂😂

[@donaldcarpenter5328]

WOE!

[@Teremei]

Thank god ryan pace isn't make these stupid decisions for the bears any more. It actually feels like the Bears FO are the most brilliant in the universe, but only because compared to pace, they are now.

[@beandipnchips4502]

Fontenot is the same guy in your fantasy league that picks two QBs in the first four rounds.

[@charlesborg3803]

😂

[@Keith_No_Sweat]

Yup that's us 🙋🏽‍♂️

[@pedrothejerk3008]

well said

[@PGO_Gaming]

Absolutely true.

[@jessArcade]

Not going to when, but totally screws up your team at the same time.

[@ekoboyz757]

Falcons are stupid to pay Cousins, thats the real story

[@kyndread71]

^ All of this

[@sirtavion20]

Exactly! That's the real issue.

[@ShimmyD-u7g]

Everywhere Cousins has played he's made his team successful. Is he winning super bowls? Nope, but neither are these guys: Burrow, Lamar, Allen, Herbert, Purdy, Hurts, Rodgers (it's been so long it's like he hasn't won one). Do i think they overpaid him, sure, do i think he will be a Russell Wilson, no. Will ATL win the super bowl, no, but if they build something, if he's something like a Goff, and takes his team to places and then Penix can come in, I guess it will be worth it.

[@Horndog08]

Yes. And at that, drafting an insurance policy is just smart in today’s NFL.

[@stickman1742]

@@ShimmyD-u7g You set a low bar for success. Cousins has shown himself to be a loser. When things get really important, he disappears. If your main hope is just a chance at the playoffs then he's the guy. If you want something more then look elsewhere.

[@GwaiZai]

As a Broncos fan I thank the Falcons for preventing the Raiders from grabbing Penix.

[@007ndc]

Nix was almost as big a reach as Pennix. Just saying

[@vincedidiana5781]

At least Nix is going to learn under Payton.

[@abc463]

@@vincedidiana5781 hes 24 and been in college for 6 years. pretty low ceiling ngl

[@vincedidiana5781]

@@abc463 I agree. I’ve said all along that he’ll be a phenomenal backup throughout his career. Could be worse. He’ll make a ton of scratch

[@Suleku]

LMAO! What the heck you talking about?! As a Raider Fan... I'll say we didn't need him... Too Huge of a Reach and the Falcons really don't have a HC.... Cya during the season btw bro! Go Raiders!

[@thepontiff6031]

Bill Bilicheck must be thinking he dodge a bullet with Atlanta

[@reubensandwich9249]

It does make me laugh that they didn't sign him because he wanted to do his own GM'ing, then they do this.

[@MGAF688]

ATL could have done better with Belichick as GM.

[@NicCage4President]

He never wanted to be there, that was a publicity stunt for him

[@BighitFiftySix]

No because Bill is nobody's puppet master he would've told Terry kick rocks or else...

[@JJ_5289]

I don't think bill was going to accept a Job where he wasn't the gm too. He had a lot of power for a long time. He doesn't want to have to answer to a bunch of other people.

[@flansburgh1100]

I like the way Tom Grossi put it; 'its as if 28-3 was a draft pick'.

[@wompa70]

I have no doubt Penix will make the most of backing up Cousins. But, damn, what a baffling move by Atl.

[@MrJCerqueira]

Kirk is in his 30s. The Falcons may be doing a better thing for their drafted QB than any other team--having him sit behind a pro

[@lavs8696]

not really. if u think penix is that guy u take him there. would u pass on mahomes if u had a 36 year old cousins as your qb? not sayin hes mahomes, but franchise qbs are hard to find and if they trust their evaluation they take him

[@milkcrate805]

I feel bad for Kirk Cousins because he’s never had a team truly commit to him as their guy. Dude has proven himself, disregard the money.

[@Dawgs1988]

Y’all are completely missing the point of the pick, he will sit and learn behind Kirk and when Kirk is done there will be no fall off like it was when Matt Ryan got traded , if we win the next couple years we won’t have a top 10 pick so it’s better to get a qb now cause the chances are you won’t be able to if you’re picking in the 20’s the next couple yrs

[@ryant3600]

@@MrJCerqueira He'll be 36 when the season starts.. this is a good move. have this kid learn from a great QB, take reps, study and be ready when Kirk does hang it up..

[@_BigTimer85]

Imagine Cousins reaction, "Gosh Dilly Darn It!" "Cheese & Rice!" and "Oh My Word!" Lol 😆

[@martintodorov8351]

Cousins is Ned Flanders as a football player 💀

[@droppin_sik_beets]

Dude didn't even know they were drafting a QB 😅

[@JoeDirt12500]

So you trying to clown a guy for being a good God fearing family man says more about you than about Cousins

[@jimwerther]

​@@JoeDirt12500 It's just a joke

[@Paula-mv8im]

In this case, Kirk have probably said the F word....you just signed me and you did what??

[@PrimusSheck]

Penix isn’t even the baffling part, paying a 40 year old coming off an ACL is

[@ericparker163]

Worse....it's an achilles injury.

[@nottl1]

lol hes 36, but i get what your saying

[@xPlOzZziOn]

damn bro you added 5 years to the guy

[@xPlOzZziOn]

@@nottl1 36 in august yes

[@zpdrsn6315]

If he’s forty than penix wont touch the field till he is 30

[@heavymetallabrat]

There are so many holes on the Falcons that need fixing. QB was not amoung them. There was SOOO much talent Atlanta left on the board. There was an all pro TE, several all pro WR, several star linemen, star edge rushers, star CB.... Atlanta screwed the pooch here.

[@joshlewis575]

Plus, their coach is a defensive guy😂😂 this is a top 3 worst pick I've ever seen. Wtf were they thinking taking a backup in the top 10

[@jeffredfern3744]

​@joshlewis575 the Mayok Raiders picks were worse.

[@alexmerlo2690]

Yes the Fail-cons are always going to Fail-con

[@Paula-mv8im]

And what team signs their franchise QB and then signs his "replacement" less than two months later?? Did the Steelers draft Wilsons' replacement after they signed him this season? No... they drafted an offensive tackle to build around their QB. Did the Jets draft Rodgers' replacement now that he'll play a full season? No....they drafted a tackle to build around their QB. That's what successful teams do...get the best quarterback available and surround him with talent to consistently win. Tom Pelissero said it best…."This isn't a relationship that had gone south. This is cheating on your wife on the honeymoon”. And it's not like Penix is the next Mahomes or Brady.

[@truthbearer7891]

Yeah using your exact logic you could say Packers made a mistake taking Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers especially Love when they were closer to one piece away from championship

[@KurtisB]

He’s not sitting for 4-5 years. Terry is saying that so Cousins doesn’t get his feelings hurt. Penix is starting in 1-2 years.

[@stickman1742]

Cousins is probably thinking that so he isn't going to be happy. Maybe they should just trade him right away while they can get something for him.

[@KurtisB]

@@stickman1742 Learning behind Cousins for a year at least would be ideal. The division is up for grabs and I’d rather have Cousins at the helm over a rookie no matter how “ready” the rookie is.

[@coachbronco]

Or sooner if Cousins re-injuries himself

[@M.J.TheGr8]

Cousins guaranteed money is for 2 years…He has 2 years to win the SB…😂

[@meechryles7072]

​@@stickman1742first 2 years guaranteed so good luck with that

[@GeraldLaz38]

#8 pick for a QB3. Front office staff should have been fired before 9th pick was announced.

[@carlreed6186]

Pennix is better then the second and third over all picks.

[@joe-edward]

Kirk Cousins strikes again. Highest paid player with the least play time and least accolades... and now he's gonna do it again. Bravo.

[@noelv1976]

They said they’re doing the Packers thing . The Packers didn’t sign a veteran quarterback to a 4 year deal 😂

[@coachbronco]

Most possible theory out there

[@juanfevasquez]

We didn't sign a vet to a 4 year deal but we did this after investing in a 1st round QB : "Rodgers signed a three-year, $150.8 million extension with the Packers in March 2022. The deal included a $58.3 million option bonus for the 2023 campaign that had to be picked up before the start of the regular season"

[@Hikayuhuy]

@@JF-xw4efnot even close to the same situation. Farve threatened to retire every February for years by the time Rodgers was drafted. No one is holding ATL hostage. They did this to themselves.

[@Paula-mv8im]

@@juanfevasquez Big difference......Favre had already been playing for the Packers for 13 years when Rodgers got drafted. And Rodgers had already been playing for the Packers for 15 years when Love got drafted. Kirk just signed with the team as QB1 less than a month ago.

[@nick0875]

Aaron Rodgers was recently signed to an extension before they picked Jordan Love.

[@alaskanyeti907]

Watching the Falcons GM explain it to their owner was priceless, dude has to be on the hot seat right now

[@Turd_Furgeson]

Well they did say they would have a QB that looked like management and the city...

[@JosephGelis]

Shouldn't he get the owner's blessing before making such a decision?

[@MrBrooksV]

$106M over two years isn’t like Mahomes money 9:25 Kirk’s annual salary alone IS TIED WITH MAHOMES.

[@tayecannon]

As a life long Falcon I can’t say I’m surprised. This is the most Falcony thing ever.

[@4literv6]

Yup run ryan out of town in 2022 who had a better career win loss record, a better playoff record&5th best all time playoff rating vs cousins and was the same age then as cousins is NOW. Ryan was at just 35mill then and signed for 2years at 35 a year, but washed up supposedly? No major ryan injuries EVER. Cousins as old, less successful career, is getting 45mill a year and coming off a major injury. Exactly what ATL always does SMDH. 🙂 Tf is still secretly working for the stains imo. Also raheem Morris as head coach? His win loss record as a head coach is even worse than Arthur Smith's and I hated the Smith pick. 😂

[@joepglass]

The team that traded the 1st pick in the 1990 draft that would be used on Jeff George only then to trade a 1st rd pick for him after a disastrous 3 years with the Colts. Smart enough to avoid him the 1st time, then traded into him after he already proved he was a knucklehead.

[@WillAsplund]

this is finally something in the right direction. the league needs to get back to developing QBs, not destroying all of them as rookies.

[@donaldcarpenter5328]

No, losing the SB the way they did was. Here in Washington State we call it "Couging" it...

[@coachmullen1]

Wait, I hadn't heard the Penix could "sit for 4 or 5 years before playing" comment! These guys effed the career of Michael Penix. He's mature! He's ready to play now! He isn't going to develop in the way he needs to without playing!

[@symptomofsouls]

He should demand a trade, they publicly admitted they are going to ruin him

[@johnchedsey1306]

@@symptomofsouls nah, they're just saying words to PR spin things. Penix will be starting by 2025. Cousins likely just become a one year rental.

[@KenjaTimu]

I agree that Penix needs to play now. But that was probably just a lie to appease Cousins. Also who knows. Cousins will probably get hurt in the next 2 years given his age. Get hurt or start playing poorly because of age. I feel like there is easily a 50+ percent chance of that. Or Penix could just be too good. Look at Mahomes and Alex Smith. Also Steve Young forced out Joe Montana.

[@Paula-mv8im]

​@@KenjaTimu Riiiiight. Kirk has been in the league for 12 years and never missed a game due to injury until now. He knows how to take care of body. Brady and Brees are his role models. He was the most hit QB in 2022 and still never missed an games. He is also highly intent on improving every season. He's not a normal 35 year old.

[@KenjaTimu]

@@Paula-mv8im he literally just got seriously injured last season

[@thewalkingjed4893]

Penix being 28 years old when he first starts is nuts, considering Trevor Lawrence has over 12000 yards of offense and is just 24 and has played for 3 full seasons.

[@ThePlanet428]

We don't what age he'll be when he starts.

[@CJStew06]

This is so hyperbolic, he'll be 24 this season. He could easily be the starter by 25. And since when do we care about a QB's age? Plenty of 21 year-old rookies bust and never make it to 24 as a starter in the first place.

[@hmu958]

Kurt Warner was 28 when he started for the Rams.

[@thewalkingjed4893]

@ThePlanet428 I'm working off of Rich Eisen's "What-if" scenario and adding a true comparison. I think it's good for Teams to get QBs young

[@ThePlanet428]

But the average age of winning Superbowl QBs is 31. People get caught up by Brady and mahomes they are the exception not the rule. Big Ben was carried in his first Superbowl by the bus and defense. Young QBs usually don't win SBs and when they do they were in an amazing situation.

[@reggiebishop5398]

Takes the pressure off being a first round pick and gives him a chance to learn. Weird but could be a blessing in disguise

[@dullestpenguin4151]

They signed an older QB coming off an injury, so they drafted one to sit and develop. This has worked twice for the Packers and with Mahomes.

[@Oldjohn52]

Maybe the "Tampering" is going to come back and bite Atlanta

[@theshawshankinception1220]

That’s why they took a QB this year.

[@nicolascoyote24md27]

@@theshawshankinception1220 that's what ej said bootleg football

[@theshawshankinception1220]

@@nicolascoyote24md27 yes and I agree with that which is why I said it.

[@JACKXK]

It makes perfect sense if they know they are going to lose multiple 1st round picks -- like for tampering.

[@brutaldomcom]

Yes 100% I’m surprised more people aren’t pointing this out

[@jts6736]

They wont even lose a 1st rounder lol. Stop listening to nut jobs like Mike Florio. Even he's walked back on his stance and realized it might be a 3rd rounder and anything else would be unbelievably surprising. The dolphins only lost so much cause they tampered with Tom Brady AND Sean Payton for a very, very long time

[@weskarp7643]

That's what I've been saying.

[@JayBird84]

Falcons don't need a penalty, they do it to themselves.

[@kyles2232]

Lol

[@Cuddibuddi12]

“It’s normal for a QB to sit 2-3 years.” Then he’d be in his mid 20s before he gets a true snap. “Kirk is injury prone”. So why sign him to a massive deal? The GM said “if he sits 4-5 years..” what if you see a prospect you like in those years but you already drafted/wasted a pick on Penix instead of getting a weapon for Kirk this year or help on defense ?

[@Falcons8455]

Great QBs play into their late 30s now tho

[@Cuddibuddi12]

@@Falcons8455 true but can you wait 3-4 years to see if he has the potential because by then you’re looking whether you’re gonna extend his contract after 1-2 seasons. That’s 3-4 drafts where someone with better upside could turn up as well.

[@Falcons8455]

@@Cuddibuddi12 the most likely scenario is Penix starting in 2-3 years. If not then that means Cousins is top 3 QB in NFL.

[@AJ-ox6yi]

He said 4-5 years just to calm Cousins. I'm sure they really expect he'll start year 3.

[@prapra15777]

He said 4-5 years not to calm cousins. Cousins knows he's not playing past his guaranteed 2 year deal. Terry said that because Terry is a Terryble GM. Period.

[@a.m.6847]

For the time that Cousins plays in Atlanta, he can mentor Penix. Cousins is a journeyman in the league and he will eventually move on and Atlanta will need a starting quarterback.

[@WhoIsMikeJones568]

One thing I know about the dudes in Atlanta is that they love them some Penix

[@blackngoldfacenope93]

Hey....whoah bud

[@elmatador678]

They had the biggest head scratcher in last years draft imo as well....not drafting Jalen Carter for a RB spoke volumes that their ship has no rudder

[@WhoIsMikeJones568]

Jalen Carter had legitimate character issues. Not the same

[@JosephGelis]

They seem to make emotional decisions, not well thought-out decisions.

[@sirkevstah289]

I find it weird people are trying to compare it to what GB does. They have an active mainstay QB and then bring a 1st round QB when the QB is in their mid 30s. They didn't sign a dude to a max deal then immediately draft a 1st round QB a month later.

[@alcozar5905]

It’s exactly what happened in Green Bay, Rodgers was making $50 million a year, old and sassy Green Bay got fed up with Rodgers. Cousins is old(35), injury prone ( recent Achilles surgery) a good regular season QB horrible at any other time. Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.

[@sirkevstah289]

@@alcozar5905 How's it exactly the same? One was a mainstay for 17 years and they drafted his replacement in year 14-15, the other got signed a month ago for a huge deal then the same team drafted a QB in the top 10.

[@codyb.3015]

Can you explain why this difference matters more than the optics? Kirk is a really good qb, and Penix is not going to be made a starter immediately. Stable transition in a couple years as well as a great potential back-up in the mean time. I haven't seen any legitimate reason as to why this is a bad thing except that teams don't generally do it.

[@williamstidham7704]

Wrong. This situation is identical to Green Bay. Nobody is clowning the Love pick anymore, are they?

[@TheMattTrakker]

The difference between 8 and 26 is also pretty massive.

[@thedarkestowl4224]

Rich, didn't you have a guest on earlier this week that predicted this??

[@chavy-_-4690]

Yeah. I forgot the name but he said they liked Penix

[@erikanderson2421]

The Falcons really used Cousins as a $100 million dollar smoke screen 😂😂

[@sophnoch4929]

Well put! We're not questioning the player's talent, we're questioning the situation and how it plays out.

[@GrievenceCapitolist]

First time in kirks carrier that there is a viable QB as a back up . Lets see how he handles that .

[@bubsmeister]

Why give him $90 guarantee then....Not thinking much are they....but that's how you stay playoffs free for 7 yrs

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

@@bubsmeisterThis. The advantage of hitting on a rookie QB is that you can spend that vast amount of money you’d normally pay for a top QB (40-50 million a year) and spend that on great position players for 4-5 years. With the cap, it’s one of the (but not the only) tried & true ways to make a run for the Super Bowl. So, now you’re paying for Cousins & probably paying more for Penix than you would a normal, journeyman backup QB. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. If they did this 2 or 3 years down the road, I could see it, but unless you think the guy is the next Brady or Mahomes, you don’t take him. There would be plenty of QBs in the upcoming drafts.

[@jason5523-r5m]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 LOL slim pickings in the upcoming drafts for QB.

[@TheMattTrakker]

@@jason5523-r5m At this time last year, Penix and Daniels were thought of as 3rd round or later prospects.

[@Mystic_man727]

@@TheMattTrakkerthat’s how it is every year

[@JoeCoughlin3]

The Falcons realized that the Penix mightier.

[@PatDK]

Nice one

[@Bach4t]

nice play

[@Jiggs316]

But does it work?

[@Higgs829]

Great fantasy team

[@anthonykology1728]

clever 😂

[@bourbontrail565]

Rich, I have to say Thanks for choosing a same but new background. The U- Hal- It Truck yesterday got me to get a family member to come over today and get their stuff out of the garage.

[@Gatorz08]

The real answer is no one knows. Whether he succeeds or fails is unwritten. It was an odd choice to most of us. When Atl gave up a ton of draft capital to move up to take Julio Jones, the media said that was a bad decision. When Atlanta drafted Matt Ryan, there were plenty of people, including me, that thought that was a mistake. If you say you know it will or will not work out, you are guessing. Time will tell.

[@JustMe99999]

I just love his name. No doubt he's been teased for it.

[@Mezcalito617]

And they feared giving Belichick the job because they didn’t want to do poorly in the draft, never thinking they didn’t need Belichick to do that.

[@lamarsmith5971]

Penix has had more torn ACL's than Cousins, so give me a break with the injury excuse. Also, Falcons desperately needed defense, that's their weak link and they did nothing about it.

[@elscruffomcscruffy8371]

I really thought they'd take a DLineman...

[@dtcuniversal6689]

An acl tear to a young player is not an Achilles tear to an aging QB that they drastically overpaid for

[@Will_Moffett]

What are you talking about they had a top defense.

[@lamarsmith5971]

​@@Will_Moffetton defense...I meant, a pass rusher....Dallas Turner...who we were speculated to pick.

[@carlreed6186]

Pennix had zero injuries the last two years. His 40 time was the fastest of the QB's he just learned to run a lot less and stay healthy.

[@sirmanni4534]

Penix, Jr. throws the deep ball like Warren Moon

[@neugassh3570]

:D:D:D:D:D:D

[@hmu958]

Yes he does. Good comp

[@michaelharris6441]

I said that last year about CJ !

[@mramplified77006]

Both played at UW too

[@ericfein9851]

Ya but that’s all. How many deep balls does a qb throw a game 4 to maybe 6?

[@stevenlitkey9354]

Don’t follow the Falcons so don’t have any idea what their needs are/were, but picking a QB, a future starter for them, isn’t really a head scratcher. Packers did it twice and it worked out quite well. Favre-Rodgers-Love.

[@jadalizmercedes7579]

Falcons expect Kirk Cousins to make them better this year, not as high in the draft next year, couple that with the fact that the falcons expect to be punished by the nfl for tampering and losing picks, and only planning to keep cousins for two years and it starts to make some sense.

[@grovepeate3316]

The new GM explains to Arthur Blank on his fingers the reasons in the war room is priceless!

[@JosephGelis]

He isn't a new GM. He has been with them a few years.

[@KingDamon09]

We didn’t have a backup for $100m Matt Ryan when he fell off & was Kirk age.. can’t make the same mistake twice ..

[@Ricky-to2me]

Penix ain’t no back up though.

[@cgivo1991]

​@Ricky-to2me so is kirk going to be back up?

[@asceticblur]

Then don't pay a 36 year old ninety million guaranteed! It makes about as much sense as cryptocurrency.

[@jjww30]

Penix getting social security before he takes a NFL snap. 😂

[@Falcons8455]

Ryan wasnt the problem his final years on falcons. it was our WRs.

[@HoraceWilliamsJr-Author]

If Cousins is not ready to go until week 10 and is looking average at best, what do the Falcons do?

[@jorgeramos8939]

The don’t pay him 180 mil with 100 guaranteed

[@woofy2619]

Russ Wilson 2.0

[@tigergirlkita]

Thank you. You don't pay all this money if you feel like this.

[@tonystarks7715]

​@@jorgeramos8939 Hey your making too much sense, u can't do that 😐

[@sinoverlord409]

Eat that money that's what they do

[@noeno17]

They got the best available QB available in FA as a stopgap, and they drafted their potential franchise QB. It was a great decision.

[@JosephGelis]

And I bet you really believe that.

[@number1chiefROKKA]

2x MVP in the making was available and within 10 seconds you tell the world: WE DON'T WANT LAMAR. But you pay a 30+ year old QB coming off an ACL with a ton of guaranteed money - AND THEN draft a 24 year old QB. What an eff'n joke of an organization.

[@thetrib1]

Lol. Ravens actually helping their qb lol

[@oshkoshdom2197]

This used to be the norn, having a QB sit for a 2 to 4 years before getting the keys to the team.

[@NickyTesla]

It was never normal to draft a quarterback in the top ten immediately after signing a quarterback for 100m guaranteed FOH... Falcons fans are coping so hard 💀💀💀

[@rickjosh69]

Penix is 24 years old too very strange

[@timpower4922]

It was the norm in the 80s

[@TheMattTrakker]

Not when you drafted them at 8 overall...

[@pappaslivery]

Free agency didn't exist back then. It's a totally different market. ​@@timpower4922

[@ck1011Original]

ATL just drafted a good backup to develop into a future starter. People complain about throwing first round rookie QBs in too early, then complain when a team drafts a QB to sit? Which do you want?

[@ck1011Original]

Also, this happens the year after Rodgers goes to Jets and plays 3 snaps. Good chances this kid starts cause Kirk goes down at some point, long term or short.

[@TheMattTrakker]

@@ck1011Original Then signing Kirk to that contract was stupid. Yeah, you can let a qb sit, but you don't draft him at 8 overall on a team that has plenty of other holes to fill. Either qb addition would be ok on their own, doing both is a really bad use of resources.

[@FightrForLife]

Sure, draft a rookie with the plan to develop him... But don't sign another QB to a massive deal, and don't use your 1st round pick on a player who doesn't even make your team better or fill a need. Did they do anything last night to get them any closer to not getting curbstomped by their division rival 48-17? NOPE!

[@BishopStars]

It's important to think ahead and not just grab the nearest shiny object at every avenue.

[@Paula-mv8im]

@@BishopStars Drafting a QB immediately after signing your new franchise QB is grabbing a that shiny object.

[@Quiet1-y9x]

Arthur Blank had to have been on board with this pick.

[@FuzzyWalrus123]

Blank runs the Falcons like Biden runs America.

[@Paula-mv8im]

Watch the draft room video. It doesn't look like it. Besides that, the story was that Blank wanted Kirk so the the team could win now. He's not gonna be cool with wasting a pick on a first round QB when you could have used that pick on a immediate impact player on defense.

[@MisterMooster]

The bright side is that the Falcons made history with this pick, it's the dumbest draft pick there will ever be- this draft pick should be immediately inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the dumbest draft pick ever, there is no way this will ever be topped.

[@sawyernorthrop4078]

We were robbed of the Falcons taking Bowers to not use him either

[@perfectsense3240]

Atlanta trying to be the smartest in the room. Instead end up being the dumbest. We used to have that problem in Detroit with Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia.

[@joshlewis575]

It's so insane we now have an elite GM. I do not miss moves like this. Brad better never be allowed to leave Allen Park. He should be our Ozzie Newsome.

[@eleazarrobiso6797]

Signed Mike Glennon in FA. Drafted Mitchel Trubisky 2nd overall, same year. Signed Kirk Cousins in FA. Drafted Michael Penix, Jr. 8th overall, same year. Common denominator? Ryan Pace. 😅

[@610joerussell]

Great segment. Please clean the windows behind Rich.😂

[@gaypreator8547]

That’s too funny. Lots of nose prints.

[@mr.knowitall6902]

In one year everybody’s gonna be looking back and saying this was a genius move

[@LordMelbury1953]

Or perhaps the Falcons currently have bad management. That’s the obvious reason.

[@zzzaxs]

Penix must be steamed….cousins must be confused

[@bretdaley6869]

Yes Atlanta covered their butts. They've been trying to get a decent qb for years now, so they doubled up, I understand why they made it

[@JACKXK]

They are also likely to lose multiple first round picks.

[@tigergirlkita]

And that's probably the REAL reason why they did it.

[@Falconsriseup]

@@JACKXK I highly doubt it's losing that much. What they did was no where near as bad as what other teams did with tom while he was still on another team. They didn't even lose multiple 1sts for that. The only thing that happened with the Falcons is not before but after Cousins agreed to a contract with them after legal tampering was allowed. The very next day Cousins himself called the PR and medical group to set things up going forward. After he already agreed to a new contract. It had nothing to do with our GM, HC, owner or anyone trying to sign him. It was just cousins and him wanting to know things after he already agreed on the contract. Im thinking if they lose anything it's like a 3rd to 7th rounder. With the eagles losing less than what the Falcons do. So if falcons lose a 5th or so then philly loses a 6th.

[@mramplified77006]

Nobody is blaming the Falcons for adding another QB, it's due to giving Cousins that terrible contract, then drafting another QB that high

[@Falconsriseup]

@@mramplified77006 Which i sorta agree with but i also understand their thought process behind it. If they don't expect to be in the top 5 to 8 range again under Cousins within a year or 2. Why not use just 1 pick now for a franchise QB to learn for 2 years then take over. Instead of having to use multiple 1sts and 2nd in a year or 2 to go do the same thing for a top 5 to 10 QB. I feel they believe they won't be in this spot again to have a chance to draft a QB of that level in the next 2 years. I personally don't want to give multiple 1st's and 2nds like the Panthers to go after a QB in a year or 2 to take over after Cousins. That can set your team back much much further than just the #8 pick can if you miss on that QB. The Panthers might be going through this right now.

[@michaelantonio]

Every other team has the Mahomes syndrome. They are seeking the magic bullet, a grand elixir to suddenly transform their team into a contender.

[@stickman1742]

Well you need a top qb to be a top team so they don't have much choice. Most bad teams are bad simply because their qb sucks. The others because the organization is clueless.

[@elscruffomcscruffy8371]

CJ Stroud being successful in his rookie season isn't helping things either

[@anaihilator]

^This

[@MisterMooster]

Time to trade Cousins, he's been there long enough. I'm sure Cousins would love a trade. Demoralizing to both qbs- calling it stupid doesn't seem strong enough- by far the worst draft pick of all time. Either that or Penix should demand a trade.

[@troydavis318]

They picked their player. Whats the issue. They think hes going to be there for 10+ years. They went for D later rounds.

[@jimmytwotimez]

The weird thing about all of it, is that this isn't even the start of the irrational behavior of the Falcons. • They tried to go after DeSean Watson with all his issues. • Then they draft a highly talented TE and barely use him (debatable coaching issue). • They draft Bijan Robinson and yea you could say Bijan was too talented to pass up, but the Falcons weren't a RB away from strong contenders. • Decide to sign Kirk Cousins to the large contract. • Decide to draft Penix in the same off-season. It almost feels like the Falcons are trying to be multiple teams at once. They see teams with franchise QBs, with dynamic RBs (49ers), with history of developing QBs (Chiefs and Packers), but the Falcons doesn't seem to have a real strategy behind it.

[@johnchedsey1306]

Good list. Also adds some intrigue as to why they passed up on Belichick.

[@brunopavesi8159]

Atl ownership has 3 peanuts for a brain.

[@anaihilator]

Yeah but are they boiled or honey roasted Peanuts?

[@gregl9175]

@@wilderbeastkeith😂😂😂

[@gregl9175]

@@anaihilator😂😂😂

[@onionhombre]

If the Falcons nail this pick they are NFC South champs and Super Bowl contenders. Guess they'd rather try and sustain good QB play like the Packers have been doing.

[@thejohnhend]

Falcons will not beat Tampa for the division mark my words

[@BishopStars]

Gonna be tough after they put themselves $100m in the hole signing Cousins, eh?

[@Paula-mv8im]

​@@thejohnhend Kirk is a FAR better quarterback than Mayfield and it isn't close. Mayfield had one job to do in the playoffs last season and threw a dumb interception.

[@truthbearer7891]

@@BishopStarsWould be a whole lot tougher if they aren’t in position to get a replacement for Cousins 2-3 years from now because they are picking in the 20s. And if they wanted to trade up to get a QB likely to not even be as good as Penix Jr, or would cost them far more draft capital like multiple 1st round and day 2 picks which leaves even more holes on their roster for someone less likely to be good at the most important position to get right

[@JosephGelis]

What a HUGE if.

[@huskydawg44]

What about the comparison of the Seahawks signing Matt Flynn and Drafting Russell Wilson?

[@RealSpillFootball]

Great comparison. Ppl actually forget that happened

[@st3wi3D]

4:17 - I disagree with Rich here. Kirk will have No problem putting all his cards on the table with Penix; it's who he is. Kurt Warner went through the same thing with Matt Leinert (who was drafted to replace him) in Arizona.

[@jjww30]

Atlanta trying to be Green Bay but screwing up the timing.

[@911___________DIVOC]

Actually, the head-scratcher was the contract the Falcons gave an injured 38-year old Cousins.

[@cronoesify]

35 currently

[@BishopStars]

43

[@donaldcarpenter5328]

How MUCH is guaranteed? This is a ONE YEAR RENTAL. Penix WILL start some time in 2024-25 GUARANTEED

[@TFT_guy]

I’m just happy for my guy Michael Penix at end of day . ☂️ I will buy his jersey

[@Chris55433]

good comment. Good to stay positive!

[@srobeck77]

U gunna cut out 2 big holes in it to represent the 2 bad ACLs?

[@sharonreel8678]

I agree that the Cousins contract is more of a head scratcher than drafting Penix.

[@deljay1840]

What's crazy is how much the media is carrying water

[@aresef]

This is a bad choice for the Falcons and a bad outcome for Penix, who is going to have to ride pine for a season or two when he could be out there making it happen during what ought to be his prime. Mind you, he’s 24, not 21.

[@ryant3600]

Rarely does a Qb that gets the start first year go on to making a great career. It's good to have them sit, learn, take reps and be ready when his time comes.

[@williamchachagua1758]

@@ryant3600he’s 24 HES NO KID what penix needs is to PLAY

[@TheMattTrakker]

@@ryant3600 Define rare?

[@stickman1742]

@@ryant3600 If they aren't waiting 4 years then Cousins knows he isn't the guy. That guy's fragile enough as it is, don't see this going very well. Unless they're willing to wait 4 years in which case Penix will be 28 when he starts his first game. The team and fans will be confused.

[@ryant3600]

you really think Kirk is going to be playing at 40? I knew even w/ this new contract he's got maybe 2 years left in him.. maybe 3. Rogers sat for 2 years. Turned 26 his first season as a starter. Turned out pretty good for that guy.

[@AL.BUNDY.]

The GM needs to be fired. Rooney rule isn't always the smartest decision

[@hectorburgos1882]

Would you say that if not for the color of his skin.? Lol.

[@AL.BUNDY.]

@@hectorburgos1882 I am not the only person who thought Penix was a wasted pick. They have the team ready to win now. With a solid Edge and DT, they can compete to win the NFC championship. Instead, they grab a player who can't play for another 2 or 3 years from now with a top 10 pick. Stop being so narrow minded.

[@finkleiseinhorn1651]

Cousins just got the reverse RG3 uno card

[@sirtavion20]

What goes around comes around 😂😅

[@TheMattTrakker]

except he'll get $100m+

[@Paula-mv8im]

@@sirtavion20 Kirk was drafted to be an insurance policy in case RGIII got injured. And how did that work out? RGIII couldn't stay healthy. Kirk wasn’t a starter for his first three seasons and it’s NOT because he wasn’t good enough. RGIII was always going to be the starter as Washington gave up A LOT to get him so Kirk wasn't even drafted to be Griffin's competition. Kirk was also treated like a non-starter because he was the pick of the fired head coach instead of the pick of the owner. He later proved he could run the offense better. There has been NO quarterback in NFL HISTORY to be treated as poorly as Kirk. A healthy quarterback being franchised not once, BUT TWICE, by a team with no starting QB on roster who were too cheap to pay him market value (at the time, there was no precedent for a durable franchise quarterback with no injury history to walk out the door in the prime of his career) and no #1 pick? That is what you call a dysfunctional organization.

[@truthbearer7891]

@@Paula-mv8imYeah poor Kirk Cousins who is going to end up one of the highest paid players in NFL history well within the top 5 despite one career playoff win and barely .500 career record overall has been treated sooo poorly

[@boychef67]

As a Jets fan, this is a smart move for a team that wants to win. If cousins get hurt like last year, I would want the backup QB to have starting capabilities

[@JosephGelis]

and who is also injury prone like Cousins.

[@ronaldshiffman9171]

I think it is fair to say that the Falcons were a definite playoff team had they drafted intelligently and taken a defensive lineman with their first pick - possibly a super bowl team. Now, all bets are off. Atlanta seems lost.

[@alexamerling79]

As a Bears fan, I was terrified that the Falcons were gonna trade #8 to a receiver needy team for them to take Odunze. Thank God they didn't.

[@FalseNi9e]

Worked out well for us! We are loaded in the WR department plus Caleb

[@waynetompkins3006]

Imagine if the Chiefs had traded up to #8 and gotten Odunze.

[@johnchedsey1306]

If the Bears don't make the playoffs at least as a wild card, that coaching staff needs set out to sea on a raft.

[@alexamerling79]

@@waynetompkins3006 Bro I'm pissed enough the BIlls gave them Worthy but if they got Rome, we all might as well give up lol

[@alexamerling79]

@@johnchedsey1306 Agreed. Waldron seemed to do pretty well with Metcalf and Lockett so we will see...

[@lfd_eng9219]

Better to a real spare tire than a "near spare"! Good move Atlanta! Plus, with Penix's injuries, you can give him a longer period of time to fully heal and strengthen up his legs. Also, with Kirk being prone to injury...better to have a capable QB2.

[@tigergirlkita]

The pick is fine...just not when you pay another guy 180 mil

[@Paula-mv8im]

So Kirk's first injury in 12 seasons makes him "injury prone"??? I think you're confused on which player is actually injury prone. Penix tore his right ACL...twice and also suffered separate shoulder joint injuries in 2019 and 2021, one of which was in his throwing shoulder.

[@mariaruiz-hays9517]

That is incredibly unfair to Penix

[@Reynar7]

Getting millions for working out 3x a week and then being on the sidelines and not getting injured?

[@alex042687]

Really? 8th pick salary, sit and learn under a guy who is a master and true pro at playing NFL QB? Sounds pretty good and much better proposition than the Zach Wilson-Jets model

[@elscruffomcscruffy8371]

​@@alex042687master?? Has Cousins done something ?

[@H-Town_83]

I dont get the head scratcher narrative. Kirk is coming off a devastating achilles rupture, and he's not young. Im a Texans fan, so i dont have a dog in the fight, but they get a young QB who can sit behind a vet the same way Rodgers and even Mahomes had to sit a year.

[@FrankGrubbsJr]

I’ve been watching the Falcons for my entire life. Please. For the love of God. Arthur Blank. Sell this team to a competent owner.

[@zakkelley248]

I’m so upset about this pick. Absolute chaos

[@eriknephrongfr8847]

Cmon Rich. You’re not serious. A team exercises some message discipline for a change and you’re all in a tizzy.

[@sirtavion20]

He's definitely being a drama queen here😂

[@chrisocchipinti3708]

His obsession with all things McCarthy vs every other round 1 QB, or even any other top 10 pick, is getting a bit ludicrous

[@johnfranklin2547]

ATL IS A DUMPSTER 🔥

[@JanTheViking]

All the haters suffering from Penix envy.

[@howdareyouexist]

nope 😂

[@DocNinini]

I see what you did there

[@JuanCena23]

No one wants a dude who can't even stay healthy or beat big time competition over the actual Qbs in thus draft like CW and JD

[@DocNinini]

@@JuanCena23 Penix beat more ranked teams than both of them

[@LordMelbury1953]

Rich yes reaching for the wallet is a curb moment, Larry David would make a good show about that.

[@joeperez5678]

What about all the raiders reaches or niners trey lance or packers ??

[@Scooby1984]

How is this a head scratcher??? Cousins is 137 years old so he's got a 3 years left tops and they got themselves a stud QB who can sit and learn from a vet for a couple years so he's ready to go by the time cousins retires

[@zzzaxs]

Wrong

[@Paula-mv8im]

Drafting a quarterback in the top 10 right after you sign your new franchise quarterback to a massive deal is the dumb move. And it's not like Penix is the next Mahomes. Kirk takes care of his body better than Brady does. He'll be playing for quite a few years. Drew Brees even said so at the Super Bowl ......“Look, he can still come back stronger than he was before and he’s got plenty of great years left.”

[@ananyabhardwaj8578]

This is a stupid organization. No wonder they didn't think Belichick was good enough for them either. Dumb team.

[@stickman1742]

I think Belichick dodged a bullet.

[@mrgeriatric]

sure dumb move on handling the pick, but NOBODY thinks Belichick is good for them, which is why he's still unemployed.

[@ryanadonis]

Trading 3 first rounders and getting Trey Lance after the career he has had isn't a head scratcher?

[@sportsknes]

It’s not because nobody could’ve predicted that Lance wouldn’t work out. It’s a head-scratcher because ATL has huge needs on defense.

[@truthbearer7891]

@@sportsknesSo you think a pass rusher would make more of an impact on the Falcons the next decade than a potential top 10 QB?

[@robinchristiansen5588]

Great analysis Rich!!

[@kingrigdig1585]

The Falcons helped the Vikings 3×1st off. They took that big salary from Kirk cousins. Secondly, they took Penix which left us McCartney and then ultimately Dallas Turner. Thank you Atlanta Falcons. You made the Minnesota Vikings relevant.

[@fratersol]

Rodgers rode the pine for so many years

[@symptomofsouls]

Aaron Rodgers wasn't a 24 year old rookie, and he wasn't a top 10 pick by a team with next to zero talent

[@Paula-mv8im]

Favre had already been playing for the Packers for 13 years when Rodgers got drafted.

[@stuartperry3761]

It's truly bizarre.... Poor inter department communication me thinks.😮

[@YouDontKnowISH_]

All these languages & Rich chose to speak FACTS! Spot on.

[@MisterMooster]

The dumbest pick of all time- not the worst pick, but the worst pick for their situation. Penix deserves a chance to start somewhere and Cousins deserves a chance to be the guy.

[@Suleku]

They going sit him for 5 years until he's ready lol!

[@JC-eu8rg]

Why do people act like they’re a GM? Or, act like this is news? This is water cooler talk for Falcon fans. It’s not “news” Just see KC drafting Patrick Mahomes. Everyone freaked out, except Reuters. MSM or YT Media - same page, same playbook.