NFL Insider Ian Rapoport Talks Falcons/Penix, 49ers, Bills & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tells Rich Eisen why the Atlanta Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr actually makes sense, if the 49ers are close to trading Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel after drafting Florida’s Ricky Pearsall, why the Buffalo Bills traded out of the first round, and more.
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[@jacklatta1890]

Ian is one of the more reliable “rumor” dudes and these days when I hear him give his take I always assume he isn’t just blowing smoke

[@softjones3128]

He's gonna get liquored up and blow a story wide open one day. I love him.

[@j.t.antonopoulos4886]

Thanks, Ian! Nice to finally hear a good point about Penix.

[@ThespianAJB]

Ian Rapoport was introduced to me by Pat McAfee... and Rich is always on top of the news, now. Good work Rich.

[@whitewindbluehand]

Can we talk about how AMAZING Belichick was on McAfee?

[@AJ-HawksToxicFinger]

It was *_amazing_* !!!

[@mtadams2009]

If he was picking your rooster for the last eight years or so you would have felt differently. Good coach, great picking defensive players, lousy picking offensive players. Brady was shear luck and it was many years ago.

[@jimwerther]

I didn't watch it, because I assumed it would be awful, and Belichick wouldn't say anything. Now you are making me want to go back and at least watch the highlights.

[@magacop5180]

@@mtadams2009and he wanted Tom out of NE every minute of it.

[@softjones3128]

@@mtadams2009 what an entiled "fan" you are.

[@roncarter8079]

Thank you Ian!! Finally someone gets it

[@natej84]

You can always tell the teams that have friendships with insiders and which teams don't have relationships with insiders. They'll defend teams bad decisions and kill some teams for similar stuff. I'm a Bengals fan and the only info the insiders get about Cincy is from the agents. When they report on the Bengals it always with a negative tone

[@chrismugisha4387]

Facts. He s clearly defending those who gave him the information

[@MrDavidknigge]

Agents leak with every team.

[@jimwerther]

I had the same thought here - he is clearly protecting his Atlanta source(s).

[@natej84]

@@MrDavidknigge yes all agents do. But not all teams GMs or owners leak info to the insiders. That's why you can always tell

[@cammyboyyy8173]

Ian is the man.

[@1TotalJabroni]

This might not be a popular take, but I would argue up and down that an elite offensive line is just as important as an elite QB. No question. If you don't believe me watch the highlights of the Chiefs/Bucs Super Bowl, where Mahomes was running around like a chicken with his head cut off and Brady was his usual statue in the pocket, similar to how Goff is in Detroit these days.

[@nicolaidebus5663]

I’d agree with Ian if Penix was 21

[@frippertonics6421]

The only folks (aside from Penix himself) who were happy with the Falcons pick are the rest of the NFC South teams.

[@deturr7772]

Falcons should get the Hard Knocks this year! This would be a reality tv goldmine!!!

[@cathaldonnelly5437]

Ian is a fantastic roster builder!!!

[@joelmartinez2278]

Fast??? Took 30 min to just announce a pick, after the TV said the pick was in.

[@victorstillwell9893]

Wonder if Penix is okay with potentially sitting for two years?

[@jeaninehogshead4710]

Nothing is guaranteed. Don’t understand after the Aaron Rodgers down after 4 plays

[@berendoballbomber5977]

Penix will be traded it's not fair to pick him to sit over one year. Cousins won't like Penix looking for him to go down. Falcons made mistake taking Penix they asking him to sit to long to play.

[@jimwerther]

​@@berendoballbomber5977 No way are the Falcons trading him

[@berendoballbomber5977]

@@jimwerther Michael Penix Jr. should not show up to Falcons to sit 4 years. His agent should ask for a trade where Penix has a chance to start and play at least after 1 year. Falcons did Penix wrong wanting him to sit on bench over one year. Penix is 26 he won't starter play until 30 years old. I ask for trade ASP if I was Penix

[@ssheldon1616]

All these guys making more of this than is warranted. How many guys fail first season because they aren’t learning for a season or two, more than make it.

[@nysguy07]

Ian needs to get to a Toastmasters meeting. For someone who makes his living on air he has way too many “like” and “ you know “ dropped into his speech.

[@moniqueg868]

I agree with Rich Eisen. Either you're playing to win this year's super bowl or you're not. Atlanta's apparently not interested in winning the next three years.

[@MrDavidknigge]

By signing Cousins Atlanta as much as admitted they were content to get to the playoffs and maybe one game.

[@mtadams2009]

You’re winning nothing with Cousins. They will just suck less.

[@jimwerther]

​@@mtadams2009 Cousins can win if surrounded by serious talent. He's never had what folks like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson had when they won SBs.

[@AceManning18]

​@@jimwertherabsolutely nonsense argument. Those are two of the best defenses of all time. Ravens probably are the best, Bucs are right up there AND their coach knew the opponents entire playbook. Goofball, anybody could win a title with those two defenses 😂 But they won't, because they don't come around every day. Cousins is not getting that kind of defense in Atlanta and he's not leading you to a title without a team full of all pros on offense. Jacoby Brissett would win a title with that 00 ravens defense. Tua Tagavailoa. Game managers, doesn't mean the QB is the reason. Being good enough to win with two of the best defenses of all time isn't a flex. The list you're looking for is guys who couldn't win with those defenses. Not many.

[@moniqueg868]

@@mtadams2009 The fantasy is believing Michael Penix is better.

[@angelooglesby1230]

Either the Falcons don't trust Cousins' Achilles or think Cousins will take them to the NFC championship in the next two years. Regardless this pick makes zero sense.

[@DravisACard]

It makes perfect sense,imo. Not only do they have their qb of the future but they also have a great starter/backup if kirk reinjures himself.

[@nicksims2827]

I’m not 100% sold on this, but did nobody watch last year? Virtually every team wound up playing at least two QBs last year. We’re getting to a point where a good backup QB is very valuable to your organisation

[@jimwerther]

Imagine Penix dominates backing up Cousins. Now what do you do?

[@softjones3128]

@@jimwerther have a good problem.

[@craigpridemore7566]

Same argument here as I, and many others, made about J Love. By taking him they may be taking a SB off the table. LA Rams, if they'd have done this, wouldn't have their SB. I HATED 'F them picks' but it worked. 'F the future. The future is NOW!" needs to be ATL's attitude.

[@standorasbox]

Signed an OLD qb off a big injury; with really only 2 years of guaranteed money, This isn’t Tom Brady in his youth here…I love this pick!

[@leslieisenhart2359]

Where is Blake Corum gonna go? Any ideas?

[@Raider870]

Chargers 😂😂😂

[@angelooglesby1230]

He's in LA but in the Rams locker room

[@JamesAvila-xu7ds]

Rams lol yay let’s go rams

[@cosbyjackson5053]

I wonder if Ian is reconsidering his argument today 😂😂

[@matthewalle2]

Pretty good arguments. One side you have the next QB locked and loaded for the future and keeps you competitive for many years. The risk is they are a bust and you franchise is in shambles and you missed out on being closer to a Super Bowl. The other side you try to win right now and then go 50 years looking for the next Super Bowl. Something the jets are experienced with.

[@jessehudson1318]

Cousins doesn’t like competition. He wants his backups to be extra QB coaches. I’m almost positive he was told when he signed in ATL they wouldn’t draft this high.

[@miketapscott6819]

Yep it all makes sense IF Penix doesn’t get hurt. Seeing he’s had 4 major season ending injuries, pretty risky

[@bennyg76]

In regards to Cousins' Achilles, it is a brutal injury(speaking from experience) and sometimes there can also be damage to the foot and ankle. It is a regular occurrence that because the other leg is taking the weight that knee or hip can go on return to running/playing. Set backs can happen but if he rehabs every day, hits the pool and eats well then he could make a full recovery. Furthermore, the Falcons have had woeful QB play for years so I like that they thought long term in getting Penix. It worked for the Packers and Chiefs when they drafted Mahomes but had Alex Smith already. Pats had Brady but drafted Garoppolo. The Falcons did not prepare for life after Matt Ryan, so good on Fontenot for having the minerals to get Cousins and Penix this offseason. With the new HC in Raheem Morris, he has helped lay the platform for him at the QB position this year and years to come. ATL may not pick again this high for a few years so do it now. Orhororo and Trice are good players and fill areas of need so they took care of business in more ones than one. The 1st day was pretty dull with picks going to predictable places but maybe it was because my beloved Bills did not pick and did a good deal with the Chiefs that they would have got Worthy anyway at pick 32 and the Bills got Coleman plus DeWayne Carter who will be a good quality DT. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. The Bills may get burnt by Gabe Davis, Stefon Diggs and/or Worthy at some point but maybe Coleman ends up being HIM and scores the winning TD. Such is the wonderful narratives of the NFL.

[@ResoluteRiot]

Penix is 1 1/2 years younger than J Love who is entering his 5th season btw. not at all comparable

[@antoniojames9493]

Love sat for 4 years Penix will sit for 2 maybe

[@Johnny82Utah]

Come on Ian you're smarter than this, penix is not Love with the injury history and cousins is sure as hell not A Aron in temperment.

[@edscott2433]

What do other teams thnk? is a sign of no confidence in one's own pick.

[@eamongleeson5743]

How about letting Ian finish his answer @1:50 rather than cut him off for a promo response.

[@Dont-Ask-Me-My-Name]

Josh Allen proved in the 2nd half of last season that he doesn't need a #1 WR and with this being a wide-receiver heavy draft &there's still a handful of starting WR on the market the Bills will be ok. Would you be hyped if the Bills would've drafted Worthy at the end of the 1st or if in two weeks you see that the Bills have signed DJ Chark & Hunter Renfrow? OBJ and Tyler Boyd are still on the market either one makes Allen's life easier

[@eddyreiter1]

Falcons screwed my Raiders...but...I have a feeling the Raiders are actually the better for it. It was painful in the moment but Bowers is a HOF stud and any 1st round QB is 50/50 bust material. Plus, the Raiders beat up on KC last year with NO OFFENSE whatsoever. They've gotten better at QB, much better on O-line and their defense was number one in the league under AP. Number ONE.

[@cindyfagerstrom8825]

Rich has the best guests and contrary to popular opinion, Pennix was a good pick. As good a pick as paying a 35 year old 1 pm QB coming off an achilles injury $100 mil guaranteed was a bad decision. I can see why Cousins would be upset. He likely lost years 3 & 4 of his contract.

[@mylesw2424]

DEBO TO THE RAVENS PLS GOD 🙏🏾😭‼️

[@xinyuqiu9808]

So falcon should just vanish after Kirk is gone

[@thegreatrenaldo7718]

Kirk is good for helping a team to a playoff spot and then losing in the first round.

[@lafan4801]

Penix is ready to go and should play right away. Cousins should simply be paid more to accept a trade. Or he can sit which is not bad either. No hits big checks ! Best retirement package of all time!

[@bryancopca8480]

They talking about Penix as if it’s not probably he won’t be a bust 😂

[@cindyfagerstrom8825]

The Bills had to let so many veterans walk, they need as many picks as possible to throw a pile of rookies at the wall and see who sticks. They were all in for a couple of years retaining veterans they now couldn't afford having to finally pay Josh Allen.

[@COMMONsenseAdvocate86]

Haha when I was watching the draft and the Jets came up; suddenly thought that JJ McCarthy should be a serious option here! Who knows what Rodgers will be. Plus, JJ reminds me of Mark Sanchez. Im sure Jets fans would just Looove another Marky Mark 😂

[@johngarynavida]

Justin Jefferson is going to be asking at least 30-35 per year from the Vikings. At least.

[@jordanstarr8712]

Probably 35

[@JKSSubstandard]

Heres my take on the Bills trading back with KC. The Bills have a draft board, same as every other team. They know who they want and where they rank people against each other. If you're sitting at 28 and you're getting calls for Worthy, and he's the 3rd WR on your draft board, why wouldn't you trade? In the Bis eyes, they just had KC pay them a pick to take a lesser player. And then Carolina came in and asked them to do the exact same thing. If I'm Buffalo and I have 2 different teams offering to pay me to take players that I don't have grades on AND I get my player for less on the cap!? I'm all over that. The question is, does it work out? If Coleman is better than Worthy and gets the Bills over the hump, then the Bills fleeced the Chiefs. If not, then KC fleeced the Bills. And keep in mind also, the only reason there's a huge stink on this is because of the Chiefs/Bills rivalry of late after Buffalo traded Mahomes to KC. But people are only sore about that because KC has won those tight games. In the grand scheme, Buffalo traded the best QB of a generation for a top 3 QB of a generation, a pro bowl C, a pro bowl LB, a contributing WR and a backup OL. That's arguably the better part of that trade..... If they won that one game.... Which they didn't. So people are sore

[@rowlandmak]

Yes, Jordan Love has proven to be a very good possibly great quarterback, but if the packers had drafted a first round cornerback, or perhaps a wide receiver, instead of Jordan Love. The Packers might well have beaten Tampa in the NFC championship and then easily beaten the injury riddled offensive line of the Chiefs and won that years Super Bowl.

[@joemagwood9130]

In today NFL if your picking 8th and you feel this is your franchise QB he has to play.

[@davemessenger1944]

Atlanta must really like those left handed QB,s!!

[@waynetar5617]

He right it was fast 🏃‍♀️ draft CFP media days it three days now they didn't want the money I guess R Rating Record

[@numericalcode]

Ian definitely almost spilled something.

[@JN-ye8qo]

Doesn't matter calmly and logically anyone explains why it was genius for the falcons to secure the QB room for the bext 10 years. If you're emotionally invested in the idea the falcons can do no right you'll never understand it. 😂

[@bbb4228]

Anybody who watched Mahomes tape (not highlights, full games, all 22) could see that he was easily the most talented QB in the draft. It wasn’t close. That isn’t hindsight either, I said it at the time.

[@lynnerose7891]

Rich, hush. You bring on Steve Young ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the time. The Niners had a SB winner at QB and they still traded for Young BECAUSE they wanted a stable QB room. MSN, you downplay the pick so hard. I bet you’d be saying McCarthy is taking over for Cousins if he went 8th. Yikes man.

[@danol.8595]

ha ha ha don't use the jets for an example of how to run things. geez

[@teacherl8330]

High register Rich... two years from now is 2026... not 2027,2028...

[@aaronhepler8070]

Thank God I know when Rappaport went to bed last night.

[@nathanstarszak7844]

Man Veach didn’t drafted Mahomes!! John Dorsey did. Ian lying

[@celwilson]

I think the Falcons are smart. 2 yrs guaranteed on a 35 yr old QB with a late in the year Achilles. At worst it's competition for cousins. If you love Penix get him. No assurance that you'll have a kid you like that much in 2 yrs.. and if you were decent you won't have a high pick anyway

[@miketapscott6819]

Great plan if it wasn’t Penix. His injury history makes the move way more risky

[@jordanstarr8712]

Expensive qb competition

[@celwilson]

@jordanstarr8712 not really.. these guys are going upwards of 50 a year at the top. You don't know how cousins will look. If he's washed due to injury you would be out in the cold otherwise.. if he's good you have a backup on the rookie scale.

[@jordanstarr8712]

@@celwilson I just don’t understand signing cousins to this massive guaranteed salary (obviously in win now mode) just to draft a backup in the top ten. I mean just pick a route. Go all in for this season and draft the best defensive player. Draft penix and sign free agents with the money you signed cousins with. Feel like are not trying to win the Super Bowl. Also why guarantee 2years of the cousins contract if you are drafting a quarterback in the top 10. The best part about a rookie quarterback is the cap flexibility of not paying them tons.

[@celwilson]

@jordanstarr8712 I don't think they thought that they would like Penix that much. I wouldn't have given that deal to cousins in the first place. Without that eyesore of a deal this wouldn't be looked at as crazy obviously

[@mig-l9059]

😅

[@mtadams2009]

Does anyone really believe Atlanta was winning a SB wish Cousins? Get real. He has won one playoff game over his entire career. They will just suck less. It was a good pick.

[@box3y]

Atlanta certainly hoped he would at least get them close. OR, you don’t give the guy 100 million dollars! In signing Kirk, they needed to be all in. They clearly aren’t and are already planning for 2 years down the road. Insane pick.

[@arthuresau1129]

How can you compare Cousins and Rodgers? Rodgers is a champion. Kirk accomplished nothing so far

[@pt1122]

Expand ur mind Rich

[@LumpsIsHigh]

Rap and Schefter ruining picks on both channels. Absolutely the worst part of the draft this year.

[@thenoseknows9391]

aaron winning MVPs, while MAHOMEBOY WINNING SBs 💯💯💯👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😂😅😅😃🤣😆😆🤣🤣😁

[@pairashootpants5373]

Bills take Keon Coleman at 33 😅

[@pierrekid]

Rich needs to talk less.

[@Conorstallionownsxhixstate]

Rich needs to talk less on a talk show ?? Are you on them funny cigarettes??..

[@stickman1742]

Kirk Cousins is a loser that isn't winning anything and the Falcons know it. Now they just told everyone else they know it.

[@stephenknox2346]

Even if that is true, it just changes from them being idiots for drafting Penix to them being idiots for paying Cousins 100 million. Either way, the Falcons are idiots.

[@rwrae72]

I don't disagree but why on earth sign him for so much money?

[@calgaryalberta4622]

LOL always amazing to watch someone try to stay in the good graces of their "sources " and blow total smoke up everyones ( fill in space ) either that or he is totally stupid. Fact : 24 year old quarter back, needs to start now , fact , if going that way 90 million buys at least 2 to 3 top level pass rushers over the next 2 years( which is why you get a high drafted qb so can use his low number against the salary cap to build team ) The truth is that this head office is a clown show who f'd up big time and makes Arthur Blank look like a clueless old folk home escapee.

[@HumanBeanbag]

Ian strikes me as someone who's an arrogant piece of garbage in real life.

[@JR-ut1yx]

Wasted pick😅

[@iceman463864]

Now Kirk cousins is Aaron Rodgers this is the most ridiculous argument. Kirk is a career medicore qb acting like he has Brady’s legacy.

[@michaelfromamerica2371]

He's just not very good to listen to.He doesn't sound very intelligent

[@joer1678]

Eisen is clueless

[@DannyKaffee]

Hey Rich Eisen paid troll deleting comments. Why would I continue to watch a show that deletes my non-obscene, non-offensive comments? Get bent. Ian is obviously looking out for his contacts with the Falcons by given this "opinion."

[@cjackson8290]

Rich is always reliably douchey…..How many times can he say his own name? 😂🤡