Kirk Cousins Addressed the Falcons Drafting Michael Penix Jr, and Rich Eisen Was All Ears

Rich Eisen weighs in on Kirk Cousins latest comments about the Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr.
Tune in to the Emmy-nominated Rich Eisen Show live for FREE on The Roku Channel at go.roku.com/thericheisenshow and also streaming on Audacy, Sirius channel 161 and XM channel 206 (Online channel 998) weekdays from 12--3 PM ET!
Showcasing insightful sports expertise with an offbeat mix of humor and pop culture, The Rich Eisen Show attracts the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment.
Subscribe here to keep up with the internet's best sports and pop culture commentary, interviews, and much more!
------ SUBSCRIBE HERE:
bit.ly/2VjWSBC
FOLLOW US HERE:
/ richeisenshow
/ richeisenshow
/ richeisenshow
/ thericheisenshow
www.audacy.com/richeisen/listen
#richeisenshow #nfl #atlantafalcons

[@aaronblackstone5743]

I swear this is the most the media has ever talked about the Falcons. Even more than 28-3

[@williamphillips3035]

It has to be more to it because Rich is not this dense to keep obsessing over something that essentially makes perfect sense but can't seem to fathom.

[@jeffreyolive8375]

That’s because to those who follow NFL for a living “it doesn’t make sense”

[@MikeLarry910]

@@jeffreyolive8375it only doesn’t make sense to people that look at it from surface level

[@tubeuszr]

It doesn't make sense to anyone who wants to win superbowls. It makes sense if u r trying to have a chance every year to have 1 playoff game lol.

[@williamphillips3035]

@@tubeuszr the Vikings wasn't a Superbowl contender with him healthy and now he's a year older and coming off an injury.

[@manservantchris]

Rich sure would have liked to have had a Penix type backup for Rodgers with the Jets last year.

[@jeffkravitz7105]

He would have settled for Mike White. 😄

[@user-en9qd5nx8w]

Rich won't let this topic go, but I get it, it was and still is a head scratcher and is bound to produce lots of more drama in the upcoming years.

[@Black4Cook]

Kirk Cousins is a class act.

[@0711tgraham]

Or, hear me out, the Falcons knew that Kirk Cousins would respond this way. Did we forget that Raheem Morris was in the same room when he was drafted? Raheem Morris is well known for building and maintaining relationships with players.

[@Turd_Furgeson]

Yeah partying with players in Tampa

[@stevenrussellwells]

Matt Ryan (a former Falcons NFL MVP) just retired after not playing anywhere for a year at 38... Meanwhile Rich, with Cousins at 36 coming off a torn achilles... 'I hate sitting here and constantly scratch my head over it '

[@morsumbra9692]

Matt became a statue at 32... even off a torn Achilles Kirk is still probably more mobile than Ryan at 36...

[@stevenrussellwells]

@@morsumbra9692 He was 31 when he won MVP... so in your opinion, he won an MVP and then immediately became worse than Kirk Cousins on a torn achilles. Gotcha. When he was 33 he almost threw for 5000 yards and was 35/7 TDINT... almost exactly Kirks stats at the same age (4200 33/7)... I'd call that a pretty good statue. Their stats continue to mirror each other... meaning... Kirk isn't going to match those numbers again... especially coming off a torn achilles. If he does I'll come back to this conversation and apologize for doubting the clairvoyance of you and Rich.

[@morsumbra9692]

@@stevenrussellwells stats are one thing, the eye test says it all. But yeah we can revisit wk 8-12 in the season. Whats the exact criteria/bar we looking for, for us to agree Kirk more mobile than Ryan? Less sacks, a rushing TD, more successful Jukes made? Can't really do stats comparison cuz the whole ones outta the league already sssoooo.....?

[@stevenrussellwells]

@@morsumbra9692 The eye test? Of what, mobility? My quarterback can be a statue all day if he puts up 5000/37/7... oh darn he can't scramble, better get a new quarterback. How'd that work out for Peyton Manning? Your last sentence is making my point for me. He's out of the league two years older than Kirk with the exact same trajectory. SMH (Side note, I'm not even a Falcons fan, I just think Rich is being absurd)

[@michaelmoss5976]

@@stevenrussellwells If you have doubts (strong doubts, slight doubts...whatever) that Kirk Cousins can't do the job, can't practice, can't lead, can't throw (whatever!) then why sign him and pay him two wheelbarrows full of $100 bills. Makes zero sense. Orrrr, the other way to look at it: If you're IN LOVE and I mean something like CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT Michael Penix, then why sign Kirk? 8th pick? That kids falling right into your lap. Annnnd, if you think there's a slight possibility that he can't be got at 8, then trade up for him. Regardless, you save a ton of salary cap by not signing Kirk. Orrrrr, you believe in Kirk for the short-term but don't draft anything with number 8 that helps Kirk in the short-term. You're not playing two QBs at the same time. And you're not playing Penix on D or ST. It's by far the most head-scratching draft pick ever. Ever.

[@paulgood2218]

Didn't Montana have young behind him

[@LewdConnoisseur]

Kirk Cousins is NOT Montana, stop it 💀

[@paulgood2218]

@@LewdConnoisseur nobody said he was . The context is a good aging starter and a team goes out signs or drafts a starting caliber QB behind him. This has happened before . Slightly different but not new

[@archie15900]

@@paulgood2218 The concept seems too difficult for many to grasp apparently.

[@timking-iy9jw]

They still hate each other (Young/Montana). Neither one will attend an event, if they know the other will be there. It's kinda sad.

[@yzfool6639]

@@paulgood2218 That was exactly your analogy. Don't you understand logic? Great QB had a Great QB drafted behind him. Kik has less of a reputation than Montana and his back-up is TBD. Terrible analogy. Montana would be right to be surprised at a QB draft. Not Kirk. Kirk would have been a backup to the last 5 Superbowl appearing QBs.

[@nnjjee1]

It’s called planning. And it’ll give Kirk extra motivation. I support ATL in their decision. What linebacker has the right to be pissed they drafted another LB? This conversation is absurd

[@whambalamb]

At least kirk is on the same page

[@nicholasmallard2926]

Thank You! Getting criticism for adding Dept is insane and shows how dumb the media is! The last two years have been pure hell at the QB position in ATL and I don't blame the Falcons for making sure they have extra protection at the QB spot!

[@clarencethomas01]

​@@nicholasmallard2926Exactly. QB is the most important position in the league and a young QB can't mentor himself. It's so stupid the media doesn't see the value in grabbing Penix, a player that seems to have the clutch factor, and almost everyone in the media laughed at KC for grabbing Mahommes 10th when they had Alex Smith.

[@xbmarx]

Atlanta fans, we are not laughing at you. I think Penix was a GREAT idea. Atlanta did the right thing. I am enjoying this simply because Kirk thought he could waltz into Atlanta and have a comfy 4 years 180 mil. Dude was opening Braves games, Mr. Atlanta, acting like he lived there his whole life, the whole deal. But Penix is legit, and I will be shocked if Kirk lasts more than 2 years there, especially because his contract is so front-loaded. He'll get his money but unless he balls out and gets to a SB, he better keep his real estate agent in his contacts. Kohls boy finally getting knocked down a peg lol.

[@TheMattTrakker]

I'm laughing at them.

[@clarencethomas01]

People said almost verbatim these same arguments when KC traded up and drafted Mahommes 10th overall despite having Alex Smith on a large contract. Let Penix learn from a successful veteran for the future, but if Cousins can't play the same due to his Achilles then they'll move on from him. QBs are gold in this league, look how much teams like Chicago and Carolina struggle year after year to find one despite high picks. Atlanta is simply looking out for the future.

[@ATLfalcons808]

Look what happened to the jets last season with Aron rogers…, use your brains 😂😂 ATL don’t want to have a team ready to win without a good backup ready to win(penixx)

[@kylem6370]

@russellcabiles9428 for real.. especially Kirk coming off a non contact Achilles injury, plus the coach and GM don’t wanna end up like the Arthur Smith who had no QB for multiple seasons and lost his job, Atlanta now has a QB for now and presumably the next decade plus If Pennix pans out

[@carlfrye1566]

Yes. Rodgers is 40 coming off an achiles...and is likely to get hurt again.

[@josiahk.2048]

@@kylem6370then you don't pay all that guaranteed money if you think he's a liability. Getting sick and tired of this reasoning to justify a dumb pick

[@ATLfalcons808]

@@josiahk.2048 if we didn’t get Kirk Everyone would want to jump is for penixx. We wanted both Kirk and penixx…

[@TheMattTrakker]

@@ATLfalcons808 Which is stupid. No one was jumping for Penix. He's going to be bad, and the falcons are going to continue to be a joke.

[@williamphillips3035]

The thumbnail for this clip is absolutely INSANE!!! Why is Rich so obsessed with this one situation with the Falcons...this is diabolical at this point🤦🏾‍♂️

[@bourbontrail565]

Right, The ATL. Should have hired Brian Flores.

[@merlomusic7856]

Diabolical, really? I’ll tell you what’s diabolical. Diabolical is boldface lying to a free agent like Kirk cousins. Telling him that he’s your guy and that he will be your guy for the next four years. Telling him that you’re all in and trying to win a Super Bowl. That’s what swayed his decision to leave Minnesota and come to the Falcons. Yes he’s making a lot of money. He’s made a lot of money in his career. Had he known that, he would’ve stayed in Minnesota. Then do all that only to draft his replacement with the number eight pick in the first round before he even sets foot on the field in a falcon uniform. That pick could’ve been used on a pass rusher. If you’re truly all in and trying to win a Super Bowl, that’s what you do. This front office GM and head coach are hedging their bets and trying to keep their jobs. This way if cousins get hurt, they think they have the quarterback of the future and no drop off.. The problem is when you do stuff like this. It usually comes back to haunt you. Now cousins has to answer questions about a quarterback controversy before he even sets foot on the field as a falcon in the regular season. Now the young Michael Penix, who I’m sure would rather play right away, has to sit for at least two years and watch while . his draft contemporaries are playing. The other problem is drafting a quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft is a coin toss at best. Over the last three years, of all the first round draft choices at quarterback, only CJ Stroud and Trevor Lawrence are bona fide starting quarterbacks that contribute to their teams. For every CJ Stroud, there’s Kenny Pickett or Justin Fields. Both are now back up quarterbacks. There’s Will Levis who probably should will be a back up quarterback. There’s Bryce Young who plays for the worst team in the NFL. And has struggled mightily. You do one or the other, but you don’t do both. You’re doing a disservice to cousins, Penix and the Falcons by doing both.

[@ChaseAJYT]

Not really. What the Falcons did makes ZERO sense. Pay an older non elite QB, elite QB money & to a multi year contract, only to draft his successor right after signing him.

[@danithedime]

maybe cause he has owners..

[@christiansmith6776]

It's because he secretly wanted the Jets to draft MP9.

[@anthonyray5713]

He sounds like a man of faith. I appreciate his response. Humility

[@superzero4250]

Every team should have a contingency plan should their Quarterback go down. Especially when he is near the end of his career, and recovering from injury that caused them to sit out half the season prior. Cousins was draft the same year as Russell Wilson, and some people were saying Wilson should retire… It worked for the 49ers when they had both Montana and Young. Then, when they had Bono, and Grbac too, I think both those guys ended up quarterbacking the Chiefs… Ask if this is much ado about nothing. Plans should not change, if the focus is the Super Bowl, then stay the course, Penix is insurance for now… 🤔

[@MrBlake22226]

This makes no sense for rich to keep talking like he don’t understand. Kirk is 35 he not a hall a famer with Super Bowl rings. He can be replaced. Rich s clown to keep acting like this

[@brandonstephens1447]

They paid him like a Super Bowl mvp. Thats why people, including rich, are acting the way they are. Instead of putting solid day 1 starter on the team at pick 8 or whatever, they got a glorified backup for now. As a Bucs fan I loved the pick 🤣

[@mrgannon]

They paid him the market rate. Wait till you see what the market says serial chocker Dakota Prescott is worth. ​@@brandonstephens1447

[@Artjedi44]

Rich has been ranting about Cousins/Penix, since the Draft...Many in ATL and national media are still ranting about it! Meanwhile, Cousins quietly goes about his business - because there is always competition in football... The pundits who complain the most, like Rich, & Mina Kimes, are NOT athletes. They are imagining how hurt their feeling would be, or looking short-term, instead looking at the long-term benefit of QB depth.

[@tmcr1152]

Falcon is shitting on both QBs careers. Kirk didnt get help and the kid career is done if Kirk is successful.

[@yzfool6639]

@@tmcr1152 Kirk won't be successful in getting to a Super Bowl, therefore, the Kid's career is not done.

[@jpm.06]

Maybe this will make Kirko play better like it did make Aaron Rodgers, in which case it's good for Kirk and good for the Falcons. All it takes is one bad play for Kirk and he's out for the season, and we saw what happened to Minnesota last year when that happened.

[@NorrisGOD]

I think the bigger question is why does Rich NEED to understand the situation so badly ya know. Like every time I see him talk about he really seems so perplexed as if it’s on him to solve the why.

[@anthonyray5713]

He’s a Jets fan so he knows nothing about QB development

[@MichaelWalker-wu2pq]

Because it is a perplexing situation.

[@ShelbyBaby27]

For Rich to be this focused on the Falcons decision after coming off The Jets season is interesting. I'd thought Rich would understand..

[@j.t.antonopoulos4886]

Oh, Rich. I loved you so much! Not any more. 😞

[@Ralphdawg]

Yall blowing this bs out of proportion and I’m getting tired of it

[@zachcampbell3229]

The Falcons needed a competent QB to help evaluate their young playmakers before they have to consider paying them. It’s another angle to this that isn’t being discussed.

[@mariopayne3851]

rich trying to do a hit job on Atlanta. They made their choice. You disagree but now you are just using your platform to go after people you disagree with. Nearly every question you ask had an obvious answer already given by Atlanta’s front office. But you need to fill the ether with “they are doing a bad job!” It will not matter when they win the division.

[@TheMattTrakker]

Atalanta does that to themselves. Joke of a franchise.

[@mariopayne3851]

@@TheMattTrakker it’s spell “Atlanta”. I think people are pissed because they know the move is a great move for Atlanta. This give us security at the most important position

[@jasonclark7990]

From what ive seen and read about Kirk Cousins and i would say that due to his faith he is able to say what he did with confidence matched with humility and THAT is the true identification of strength. So we will see how his actions match his words in regards to stewardship and humility and leadership

[@claytongiampaolo7848]

What is so wrong with having a decent backup, it's dumb. Phenix is their insurance if cousins gets hurt.

[@TheMattTrakker]

You are correct, using the 8th overall pick on a back up is dumb.

[@teejayman215]

@TheMattTrakker not if it's at the position which is hardest to draft in the league. The NFL keeps reminding us how important a QB every year, yet drafting the most pro ready QB in the draft is somehow a terrible thing for the falcons to have 2 franchise QBs better than what most teams have

[@ajpierre]

@@TheMattTrakker Teams do it ALL the time. Ironically. The Jets just did it

[@jamesthespeaker]

Jesus...this is the NFL... People make decisions they believe will best benefit the team... And the athletes are grown men. Why do we continuously have to "oh poor Kirk" or "oh poor Penix"... They will be FINE... Kirk is an outstanding quarterback who is equipped to win now. The roster, even without Dallas Turner, is equipped to win now... And when Kirk decides to retire...Penix is equipped to step in and continue to win.....

[@gsadhra]

Very philosophical and wise!

[@SuperAudionut]

Michael Penix has had more media than all the other 1st round QBs combined. The clear reason why Penix makes sense is Cousins propensity of getting injured. It doesn't take an actuary/statistician to calculate probability of Kirk being ready to play and staying healthy. The money is not an issue to the owner. Raheem is handling the situation well. Falcons have a real chance to win their division which says more about the competition.

[@davet2459]

Kirk, prior to the achilles injury last year, had never missed a game to injury in his entire career.

[@TheMattTrakker]

So they drafted the guy that had 4 season ending injuries? The cope from falcons fans is just hilarious at this point.

[@ajpierre]

@@davet2459so what? He’s 36. its about his age not his injury history

[@antoniostanley8684]

It's funny how most of the talking heads want this to blow up in the Falcons face, so they can say, "I told you so!" It's like this talking heads are saying, Atlanta can have a GM long as he pick the players we want him to pick.

[@marcuslewis7888]

Compton and Cousins are real good friends from their DC days

[@markkostecki4558]

2:41 I have NEVER seen rich glare at the camera like that lmao

[@kingbradicus9984]

My team getting all the media these days lmao

[@sweetnessdabutta9985]

Rich is turning into that "That Guy" smh 😢..... This is football not a touchie feelie sport. Its football. The same league that said players can't kneel. The same league that has a hard time hiring Black Coaches so they had to make the owners do it by making a rule. This is small fry stuff man...every yr somebody is drafted and somebody is replaced. Its called the NFL league for a reason.

[@midknightfalconfan]

Yep Rich is starting to sound like Florio. Ugh.

[@paullmight42]

Kirk is so wholesome it hurts...

[@timking-iy9jw]

Well said by Coach Morris.👍 I'm not a Falcons fan, but I've always liked them. I always would've thought it WAS the vets job to tutor the young star....but the way he put it, about putting it on the young guy, cuz the other guys trying to win a Super Bowl. Can't argue with that logic. Well said.

[@jhen0]

For someone who’s been around the game as long as Rich, it’s baffling he’s still talking about this pick like it was inexcusable. Rich did you forget what literally just happened with the Jets going all in on an old QB and it all crumbling in their faces? Too bad the Jets didn’t have a guy like Penix to come in after your old QB got injured…..

[@whambalamb]

Kirk tampered, wanted out of Minnesota because they were honest about drafting a qb. Goes to Atlanta for top dollar leaving Justin Jefferson for some sophomores and an organization that will lose to the saints and the bucs and not even make it to the playoffs. Or they win the super bowl and delay starting penix until he's the "old guy"

[@jhen0]

@@whambalamb Falcons have been competitive through December the past two seasons with horrible QB play and awful play calling. If you think they’ll not compete for the division after fixing those issues you’re delusional.

[@positivepatrick2009]

Not sure if any you your staff watched the last 2 seasons of the Falcons. We went from Mariota/Ridder to Cousins/Penix. I'm stoked. Kirk is an amazing pickup and will do amazing things as he gets older in his career. And good luck to all those rookie QBs that have to play next year...it's a tough road. Kirk is on board for 2 years, Penix can learn from him. Cousins had an health issue, praying he will be alright, but I think ATL is just tired of not having a stable QB stable. I am very, very, very excited as an ATL fan. No disrespect to the defensive players on the board, but none explosive enough to take Top 10 in my opinion, especially when you can draft your future QB (and if we are winning with Kirk, who knows when we will another chance to draft our next QB without having to mortgage the farm to get him).

[@kylem6370]

Idk how ppl still crying for Kirk cousins and saying Atlanta is stupid for taking Pennix.. cousins 1 playoff win in 12 years, going to be 36 and coming off an Achilles tear that was a non contact injury.. Atlanta playing for now and the future if cousins doesn’t pan out then they have a QB ready to go and take over for him when they need to for the next 10+ years. Ppl said it was stupid for GB to take Love, KC to take Mahomes when they had Smith, I mean those teams took 1st round QB’s and they seem to pan out for the team moving forward. Denver signed Russ to massive deal and cut him, so clearly teams will move on if they suck no matter the money they paying. Cousins deal only really for 2 years anyways and Atlanta coach and GM making sure they don’t end up like Frank Reich when they traded for Matt Ryan and he fell off a cliff real quick from his last year in Atlanta to his first year in Indy.. Atlanta smart playing to win now but also have a backup option if Cousins doesn’t work out and to have your franchise QB for the next 10+ years. Ppl say he’s 24 like that’s old.. but saying it’s stupid to take him when Cousins is gonna be 36 which is 12 years older and act like that’s not extremely old if they saying 24 is old??

[@dwayne_ascending]

Stupid segment from Rich…it’s not difficult to understand at all🤦🏽‍♂🤷🏽‍♂ It’s not hard to believe that the Falcons did their homework on Kirk Cousins character. Also, he’s 36 years old! Why would they not get their next guy? They won’t be drafting that high again with this guy in the QB room.

[@user-sj2hi5fn4m]

QBs are expensive and rare (good). To have two? WHy not? What's your guarantee old man Cousins is there for you all the time? Penix is really good. They got a good QB.

[@TheMattTrakker]

Penix MIGHT be good. Why not have 2? Because the team's roster isn't good. They have plenty of holes they could fill. They picked 8th, again, for a reason.

[@prettyslim1836]

@@TheMattTrakkerare you even a Falcons fan? The roster does not have PLENTY of holes to fill.

[@eewwdonttouchit]

I would bet it stung for sure but Kurt is such a class act! So much respect for Kurt - I am a big fan of Michael and was outside hoping the Seahawks would attempt getting him...

[@gbmbg114]

Cousins is 36, coming off an Achilles, has won ONE playoff game in 12 years and just got $100M guaranteed over the next 2 seasons.. and the Falcons are lucky that he’s not throwing a temper tantrum??? Lol ok.. And correct me if I’m wrong, but Rich is a Jets fan, right?

[@ajpierre]

Thats the irony.. Jets fan. One of the worst drafting teams in NFL history AND their old QB got hurt last year and who came in the game? Their young 1st rd pick QB. Except their young QB sucks.

[@mistertaz94]

In defense of Atlanta and this is just me playing devils advocate because I don't care about them one way or another, while most of the media paints this as them trying to replicate Jordan Love, I'd also point to Jalen Hurts as drafting a future QB directly after paying your current one a huge deal. Everyone said the same exact stuff when the Eagles drafted Hurts after giving Carson Wince a bag in the exact same off-season.

[@TheMattTrakker]

That was a second round pick, not 8 overall.

[@ajpierre]

@@TheMattTrakker draft position is completely irrelevant. The fact that amount is, they signed a quarterback to a big deal and drafted another quarterback, relatively high in the draft the same off-season.

[@BrentCrowley]

Has rich not watched a single falcons game the last two years? Quarterback play has been god awful for us, why do you need a good backup? Because suffering through watching Mariota, ridder and heinicke has been torture

[@TheMattTrakker]

You don't waste 8th overall on a back-up. Although the falcons have shown they suck at drafting, so this is just par for the course.

[@thisisit2524]

The first thought I had was "Any Given Sunday"....

[@user-xf4sv7oc9l]

Enough already. You’re starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist.. love your show. But let it lay

[@srobeck77]

O hell no. I need this comedy for several more months.

[@teejayman215]

@@srobeck77 People are laughing at Rich Eisen LOL

[@jamesmassey2089]

"Everybody wants to be a cat till it's time to do cat things." Kirk's owning this situation.....

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

PENIX will play in a year and be amazing!

[@Rubberglass]

Kirko is about to ball out. 🏈

[@joeyyarbrough336]

Love it

[@tvbarn]

That’s a great mid-career Letterman stare

[@EffeX05]

Hey rich, we get it, you LOVE Kirk.

[@larrythelieutenant1783]

Business continuity planning, Rich. KC is a stop gap QB coming off a significant injury. Falcons learned from the Jets and AR being injured opening night.

[@whambalamb]

Pretty much a big reason for Kirk leaving the Vikings, don't forget tampering, was because Quote "the gm, coach and qb have to be on the same page". Minnesota was up front, Atlanta lied.

[@TheMattTrakker]

Then why sign him?

[@JonnyTrumpetMan]

It’s called Full-Coverage insurance.

[@AndresSheehan-gn3yk]

"Why have anyone at all in that position?" because we are and have been very weak at Quarterback. We are not weak TODAY. Kirk may be the perfect guy for a young guy with a beautiful arm to sit behind. For 90 million dollars, HE BETTER BE!

[@antoniojames9493]

Denver thought they found their guy in Russell Wilson too. How did that turn out?

[@Slimdulla87]

We the falcon fans love this pick.

[@nicholasmallard2926]

After watching two hellish years of Mariota and Ridder make our pass catchers look like 💩 I have zero problem with the first pick going to a QB!

[@christophergiles4717]

I have never seen anyone drive a topic so far into the ground as Eisen has with this pick. Two solid weeks of his "I just don't get it" schtick is becoming embarrassing. Move on.

[@srobeck77]

I want more, need more. This is comedy gold

[@archie15900]

He did the same with the Ohtani gambling thing when there was no new information coming out. Two solid weeks of "there has to be more there." It was getting embarrassing how much they talked about nothing.

[@srobeck77]

@@archie15900 i need 3 more months of this level of entertainment. Dont be a Debbie Downer

[@mig-l9059]

I really love the RES, but in this case I have to say "we got it, it was a headscratcher, but in the end, time will tell if it was a stupid move or not. Let it go for now, please."

[@lpluva1]

With the 8th pick they could have drafted a top flight receiver, RB, Tight-end, or O Lineman. That defense sure could use some help, lots of great NFL ready players at 8. So if a SB in the immediate future is the goal then why not draft someone who can help them do that right now? Why create a controversy by drafting a QB who isn't going to play, as apposed someone who can hit the ground running and help you make a playoff run? I would love to poll the coaching staff, I'll bet a paycheck that they would much rather drafted any number of players.

[@zackandspennygolf]

Rich are you daft? The day and age of having 1QB is over. Every team. Should want the best replacement at QB possible. Like every other position. Something thats been ignored for years in the NFL. Times over. Wake up boomer.

[@JoJo-je9dr]

Rich if Cousins gets hurt we got Penix. It’s called depth at the qb position. I think it was a good move. I guess it’s something to talk about. I can remember Dan Marino could have been Atlantas pick but no we had a qb. A player of that caliber you take him !

[@teacherl8330]

Get over it Rich. The gimpy 35+ year old isn't threatened by the newbie, so why are you? ... "a working force to work together"... HE HAS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR

[@srobeck77]

Do not get over this. I need this comedy in my life for several more months.

[@BoHorn]

…. You paid a ridiculous sum for that “gimpy 35+ year old” and paid a ridiculous sum for the newbie. Doing both is laughable. Kirk at that price tag to be a bridge qb is reckless behavior.

[@srobeck77]

@@BoHorn i wouldnt say gimp for a guy that just got injured for the first time in a 15 year career in the NFL. You aint too bright there, fella.

[@BoHorn]

@@srobeck77 also, my man, im a vikings fan, im fully aware he was an ironman back there.

[@srobeck77]

@@BoHorn ya im I believe this because u did say that hes "gimpy 35 year old", so your totally out of line there. But that said, I dont think hes worth as much as Atlanta paid him.

[@gastonrivera3478]

No more head scratching !!! Time will give us full answer! 🙏🏼

[@smoothkid765]

Is it ironic that the first contract he's signed since his Washington days that's not fully guaranteed and he's probably not going to play it out? Isn't this exactly why he's wanted fully guaranteed contracts each time

[@UTube-gs1yf]

Cousins will be a Jet after the next season. Book it.

[@jeffreyolive8375]

I doubt it. Atlanta would have 65 mil in dead money and besides his cap hit they would immediately have an additional 25 mil cap hit.

[@UTube-gs1yf]

@@jeffreyolive8375 I don't get how all that works, and couldn't be bothered to find out. But I'll take your word for it. Unfortunate as it would suite all parties me thinks.

[@jeffreyolive8375]

@@UTube-gs1yf immediately upon trading or releasing a player his guaranteed money which most of the time is spread out for cap reasons becomes due. It like teams use a credit card to acquire/keep players. Money now pay later but the bill becomes due immediately if that player is cut or traded.

[@thomaspower221]

Wow, I never heard Kirk talk so much about SuperBowls…

[@LonkFromATL]

Maybe its time to move on from this topic now...yall obsessed. Is kinda sad.

[@dmarshall737]

Thats like buying a house and not having homeowner"s insurance,, wake up people

[@HawgWyldFishing]

A contract, now can be qualified as a monster contract, by simply just being a 2 year contract.

[@blakekeane5507]

They picked someone who will NOT help them win that SB, they picked a player who is actually a negative to that objective.

[@Krawllll]

This is the best, i’m investing in buttered popcorn!

[@richardpierce7819]

Rich its clear the Falcons are looking to the future. Why cant you see that. Look at what happened to the Rams last season.

[@nicholasmallard2926]

Because he's trying just like ESPN to push a narrative that there is beef between Kirk and Micheal! Rodgers went down last season along with the Jets playoff hopes! Remember that Rich? Jets really could have used a solid backup QB to save their season!!!

[@manwhosayf]

After a couple years with Mariota/Ridder, the Falcons addressed the f out of the QB room. Why is everyone surprised?

[@benparadis3841]

How people don’t get the Falcons taking Penix as an insurance policy & to sure up their future at QB makes no sense to me

[@kleinsantana3377]

because history has shown us you need a ready backup. don't understand why this is so hard to comprehend.

[@whambalamb]

They are both starters, that's it

[@kleinsantana3377]

@therotten6152 but not in season 1 and not likely in season 2. Just like Love.

[@yzfool6639]

Kirk's feelings don't matter.

[@TheMattTrakker]

Because you don't use 8 overall to draft a back-up. I don't understand why this is so hard to comprehend.

[@kleinsantana3377]

@@TheMattTrakker you do when you just had 2 bad qb years and your new qb is 36 not fully healed from a torn achilles and you dont anticipate being in the top 10 for draft picks again in the near feature.

[@Jediknight4jc]

What is it about a 36 year old Quarterback coming off of a serious injury, do you not understand? 95% of QBs are cooked by the age of 38.

[@yzfool6639]

He couldn't win a Super Bowl even when healthy. Kirk was hired to save a GMs job, not for the long-term future.

[@NickyTesla]

So why pay him 100m guaranteed?

[@markosekulic119]

Ofc and then logic is to give injured qb 100m guarantee.

[@LeoDillon-tz8he]

@@NickyTeslaBecause they also want to win right now, so they signed the best FA QB available. Try to win now and try to also win for the 10 years after.

[@LeoDillon-tz8he]

@@markosekulic119 That’s what the market dictated to sign him. Minn didn’t want to give him more than one year fully guaranteed. He also signed for a little less than he would have had he been healthy.

[@mikesmithh]

This man has nothing else to talk about. Now he is making it out like Falcons took the #1 pick.

[@alexciasommerville9514]

Rich is not getting it. They never planned for a QB in the first round. I believe after they paid kirk from free agency and then started focusing on the draft that’s when they spoke with the scouts and other ppl and penix had a buzz and they started looking into him and loved him. They looked at the future drafts and didn’t like the class and just believe they might not like another QB like Penix. They spoke with the owner and he gave the go ahead cuz he agreed. That’s it!

[@nicholasmallard2926]

They needed protection against an injury at QB! Ridder got injured as well as Taylor last season! You better have a solid backup or your season is done

[@deepwaterwalk]

Rich is overthinking this in a ridiculous way. It's not hard to see the logic. Let it go. All involved are onboard. That's ALL that matters.

[@teejayman215]

A team's job is to accumulate good players and try to win games. Falcons were in the position to get some great players; and they did because they had the money and the draft picks. Stop crying about it. It doesn't concern the falcons that they have good players as backup

[@TheMattTrakker]

Should probably concern them that their defense is still bad...17th in points allowed.

[@teejayman215]

@TheMattTrakker which was with one of the best D-lineman in the league, being hurt all of last year. And the rest of the draft after Penix was spent on defense. Still, falcons are allowed to do whatever they want.

[@JN-ye8qo]

Why is he still confused? 😂

[@user-mp6dl7wc9z]

If Kirk is there to win a SB GET HIM A STUD ON DEFENSE OR OFFENSE at #8 to help him win a SB don't get a player who will sit on the bench and create a bad atmosphere on the team amongst fans locker room etc

[@atlredsoxfan]

I love Rich but he's reaching on a small story. However you got Rodgers with his stupid remarks. He's contradicting himself. You okay with Rodgers foolishness but you question the falcons for their QB situation.😂

[@ByGriPhone]

If any other team did that, Falcons fans would be clowning them as well. Let's not act as if Falcons fans haven't completely gaslit and brainwashed themselves into thinking that this was a good decision and that the media is making a big deal out of it.

[@ajpierre]

@@ByGriPhoneplenty of teams have done that. The Packers just did it in with Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers… What are you talking about? The Redskins drafted RG3 and then took Cousins in rd 2. Cousins is 36 coming off an achilles injury.. injury or not. He’s 36!! so who is gonna be the QB when he leaves?

[@quyenntran]

Lets go Falcons

[@dennyrasta6884]

If Kirk wasn't so dumb to admit tampering losing Falcons Draft picks maybe things would have played out differently. Not considering his age and previous injury that doesn't guarantee his success... he should shut his mouth and stop tampering his thoughts...

[@richardgonzales3562]

Rich, do us all a favor and just repost your first initial take on the Falcons drafting Penix. That way I don't have to waste my time hearing the same head scratching comment over and over and over again. If you quit scratching your head over this maybe you'd have some hair up too to keep your mind on something else. Lol😊. Seriously we get it. It's starting to get old. Add a new wrinkle or move along.

[@judah6582]

why folks mad? every game poses risks so what the falcons have great insurance at the QB position

[@harrykuehn3894]

Kirk is the present and Michael is the future. What would you have the do, wait until Kirk grabs his rocking chair before they draft or sign a young quarterback. What happens if Kirk gets hurts, remember what happened to the 49ers 2 years ago.

[@enlightenedrogue3871]

Let it go Ricky come on let it go!

[@enlightenedrogue3871]

It’s not the end of the world Ricky - and frankly having MP back up an injury prone Cousins is not a stupid idea. Ricky it goes against your narrative and your feelings are hurt. Stop 🛑

[@MichaelBarinque-Manahan]

Cousins' contract is guaranteed WTF does he care. Have some humility knowing he played the system and got PAID! Okay, he's upset, how about play hard and make it even harder for the Falcons.

[@danncorbit3623]

Pretend that they are paying Cousins 10 million a year and then you can stop having a nervous breakdown. It is very clear that Penix and Cousins are high character guys and they are going to get along like teammates should and win football games. Your question was "Why have Penix behind Cousins if Cousins is trying to win a superbowl?" The answer is another question: "Why have Aaron Rodgers sit behind Favre when Favre is trying to win a Superbowl?" or, equivalently, "Why have Steve Young sitting behind Montana when Montana is trying to win a superbowl?" I think the answer to all three questions is the same and it is obvious and some people just need to get over the money. QB money is ludicrous today. To quote a famous song from days gone by, "It's like that, and that's the way it is!"

[@danncorbit3623]

They know it is a hot button with a lot of people and the best click bait since "Aliens abducted Elvis Presley! We have proof!"

[@Fakeaorta]

One thing that keeps coming into my mind that no one fully addresses. The Falcons believe Kirk will get injured halfway through the season and needed a good QB to get them deeper into the playoffs.

[@TheMattTrakker]

No one addresses it because it's a stupid point. If you believe that, then why give him that much money? Maybe they should worry about getting to the playoffs before having a back-up plan to get them deeper.

[@Sarah-lw5kx]

Head coach didn’t pick Penix so he is answering the best he can

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Kirk's potentially has 2 problems with all of this: one, the media will keep trying to make a distraction; two, if the Falcons loose a couple of games the locker room could get divided.

[@RossMatthewsxx]

Kurt Cousins is a young future Hall of Famer big time playoff winning championship Superbowl winning QB. He's like surgeon on the field, after he leaves the falcons im sure he'll get another big time payday!

[@shane-zl8bu]

Any time the falcons lose a game or even win a game with a mid performance from Kirk the media will hound both him and the coach about Penix.

[@ORagnar]

It would have been funnier if they drafted two quarterbacks. o

[@Dnasty0118]

What has Kirk done for the falcons to not have drafted a qb?

[@srobeck77]

@@Dnasty0118 Signed a monster contract with a no trade clause and guaranteed money in the bank is what he done ROFL

[@williamphillips3035]

Kirk Cousins was drafted by Washington the same year as RG3 and Griffin was expected to play with confidence knowing that Shanahan was forced to draft him by Snyder. Cousins will be OK with that guaranteed money for now

[@nicholasmallard2926]

I would have been okay with it! F**k the Media and ESPN!!🖕🖕

[@srobeck77]

@@nicholasmallard2926 and yet here u yet on social media living out your best life

[@donnydrips]

My guess is that the concept of car or home insurance nonplusses Rich also. Why do you need a Penix when making a hard push for the super bowl? Because Kirk is aging, more likely to get hurt, and you need a steadfast guarantee who can keep the team charging ahead. How this continues to be a baffling thing to this crew only underscores how scant actual news is for them to cover.

[@macarthurh]

Oh my God a team with 2 good quarterbacks what a travesty !!!!👀👀👀👀😂😂😂

[@RRR-ox9ud]

I like the move for the Falcons. Drew Bledsoe call it a "Replacement business". Do you think you know .ore about the NFL financial/football decisions than Bledsoe?

[@RRR-ox9ud]

People dont like the move bc its a Black GM, Black HC and a Black QB. Period!

[@JonKlinkel]

Maybe they're worried Cousins might get hurt again.....that's entirely possible. Although, if they are REALLY going to try to win a Super Bowl, you'd probably want someone behind him that's won pressure games, in case something does happen to Cousins. That would be an interesting landing spot for Brady...if something happens end-of-season....would they call Matt Ryan or are they seriously saying Penix is their security blanket?

[@monolith2001]

I truly think the "I am baffled by this pick" and "Kirk is gonna be mad" narrative is dead now and Rich needs to move on. Most people agree Penix is a very unique QB talent so no concerns with grabbing him. Certainly would not want to see him in NO as a Falcons fan. Kirk gets a big contract and suddenly he deserves to get the keys to city and retire a Falcon sight unseen is silly. Presumably, we got a guy no matter whether Kirk is ready or good and if we want to move on, we aren't paying $60M/yr and/or $250M+ gtd for another vet.