“Absurd” - Rich Eisen STILL Can’t Believe the Falcons Drafted Michael Penix Jr | The Rich Eisen Show

[@TT79-]

The gm saying , on tv, that its great if Penix waits 5 years to get a start... is the most bewildering statement in nfl history.

[@stevenorthwick2480]

@TT79-cv9uz Yes, the fundamental point is - the Falcons are dealing with human beings here, not assets they can keep in a freezer for years......The argument some are putting that the real mistake was recruiting Cousins is stupid.

[@PiyachonYuenyongHYDE]

What a bullshit statement. you gonna wait until his rookie contract is up before let him start. the GM should be fired on that spot.

[@lavs8696]

hes obviously just saying that to keep cousins happy, there is 0% chance cousins is here after 2 years (maybe even 1)

[@GoKU-xx2vg]

​@@lavs8696nailed it. Penix could be starting sometime this year. Like when Cousins plays bad then gets a "cold"

[@michaelfetter4541]

@@lavs8696 They''re not getting off of Cousins for at least 2 years unless they want a ton of dead cap space like Denver. If they move on year 3 its still 25 mil in dead cap.

[@lawnmower11]

They proceeded to alienate both quarterbacks and their fanbase to boot. Pretty impressive.

[@johnchedsey1306]

Penix is hardly alienated. He quietly knows he will be starting in 2025 at the latest.

[@lamarsmith5971]

@@johnchedsey1306 ...Really? And how would you know that he will start 2025? I guess you pick the winning lottery numbers every weekend because you're so smart and can see into the future.

[@srobeck77]

And after the first game, he proceeds to tear his ACL for the 3rd time....

[@geraldos9094]

I’m a Falcons fan and I’m excited.

[@dawgnation1347]

@@srobeck77now do Kirk. Oh wait. The guy is literally still rehabbing a torn achilles lol.

[@Biz613]

Can’t wait until Arthur Blank hires his backup coach and general manager. You know…to plan for the future. Shouldn’t bother Terry or Raheem right?

[@gbmbg114]

If they’re getting paid $100M guaranteed, I think they’d sign up for it lol

[@rikerwil3913]

Those two guys running the Falcons organization are playing real life fantasy football with a billionaire’s bank account. Absolutely wild.

[@truthbearer7891]

What’s wild is you same ppl said Falcons should have traded their 1st round pick for Justin Fields. None of you have any credibility

[@chazzhammer425]

@@truthbearer7891 We find out now Atlanta could've traded a 5th or 6th for Fields and just drafted Penix at #8 and let the two battle it out for the starting job. Saved all that Kirk Cousins money for free agents.

[@jordansheffield6101]

@@chazzhammer425 I don’t think GB should have cut Rodgers and have Love duke it out with Sam Darnold. Kirk may not be Mahomes but he is too 10. A rookie can learn a lot watching someone his caliber

[@pocketbeat7922]

Rich is 100% correct. You either use your draft capital to surround Cousins with the tools to win now, or you use the money you paid Cousins to surround your rookie QB with the talent to win very soon.

[@gsp3428]

Of course, that is so obvious, anyone with a brain should realize that. Cant beleive Blank didnt realize that.

[@Tboy2kool]

Since when was the draft for win NOW you really expect a rookie to come in and put a team like the falcons over the top?

[@pocketbeat7922]

​@@Tboy2kool I said 'win now' when referring to Cousins, and 'win very soon' when referring to a rookie. Ideally you want to maximize your roster while the young QB is still on his rookie contract.

[@belchmelch]

@@Tboy2koolimagine Odunze on this team… or trading down with likely the Raiders for a stud WR or Bowers or CB. and probably get the 44th pick for another stud in a deep CB, OL class? The only way this really works is if they still win a Super bowl OR KIRK gets hurt.

[@nickh2935]

No he’s not lol. You remember how the jets last season went?

[@relativetimeworx8459]

I wonder whose call the Cousins signing really was? Because, clearly, somebody in the organization is not sold on him.

[@aem870]

I think it was the owners for stability. The owner must have wanted a vet even at a high cost because 180M$ doesn’t make sense.

[@johnnycash8567]

@@aem870those cost in the modern nfl for a good quarter back is 50 mil a year, that’s what they paid cousins. It isn’t rocket science

[@MumRah]

It's par for the course for this organization. Rich McKay has been calling the shots for over a decade despite what they say. It's why he was at the press conference when they fired Arthur Smith and Terry was back at the office filing TPS Reports.

[@gsp3428]

I wonder how Blank agreed to the Pennix drafting after the Cousins signing. That blows my mind.

[@kylem6370]

@aem870 they panicked, a lot of teams do it when they screw up 2 times, the 3rd time they overpay trying not to screw up again. They were going to get Watson at QB and last second Browns went crazy and gave full guaranteed most expensive contract so he got taken from them, then last year they could’ve had Lamar for the same amount of money they gave Cousins in Free agency and didn’t make an offer. Their QB’s were awful this year and cost their playoff chances, so they panicked and overpaid Cousins just to have a decent QB. Titans did the same thing with Calvin Ridley this year, they got rid of AJ Brown instead of paying him, used a 1st round pick to replace him and it went completely bad, so then they overpaid Ridley who’s 31 and 5 years older than Brown instead of signing Brown for less and he’s a lot younger. Teams don’t wanna make a mistake 3 times and then make the mistake of overpaying to try and not miss out again.

[@pjeffries301]

Why sign Cousins? You plan to pick Penix at 8 so save the 50 mil this year and spend it elsewhere. It is a nonsensical move.

[@CWashAtl]

no guarantee that Penix would be there

[@ktown-chef]

Unless they really like the player but don't think he's ready for a year or two. Then like Love, Mahomes, and Rodgers can step in and have the best chance to succeed.

[@MumRah]

​@@ktown-chef he's not going to succeed with this OL and DL.

[@Bigpapidamian]

@@CWashAtllol bro they would’ve gotten a QB they liked.

[@TheMattTrakker]

@@ktown-chef He's gonna be 24, he's not a developmental player. If that's their plan, then they're just awful at evaluating talent.

[@thetrevorsimpson-u8o]

This is the fallacy you hurt Kirk by wasting a #1 Pick Now or you hurt Penix by wasting 100 Million he could have used on his ROOKIE QB CONTRACT to build a team you're wasting 1 precious resource. By trying to win now and in the future you ENSURE you will not win now or in the future.

[@jordansheffield6101]

It’s a logical fallacy that only 1st round players can hit. They drafted 4 or 5 front 7 players after pennix.

[@jgiza8888]

I would say it is a paradox more than a fallacy. You hurt Cousins by wasting the #1 pick and you hurt Penix by having him sit for two years.

[@thetrevorsimpson-u8o]

@@jgiza8888 you hurt Penix by spending 100 million on Kirk instead of FAs who could help Penix when he does start

[@thetrevorsimpson-u8o]

@@jordansheffield6101 actually NO look at the numbers the higher you pick the more chance for a player to hit... top 10 more likely to hit 1st round more likely to hit each round the odds go way down

[@jordansheffield6101]

@@thetrevorsimpson-u8o everybody mocked Dallas Turner to the falcons who went 16th so he wasn’t even top 10. But even if he was Michah Parsons he could get injured week 1 and Kirk Cousins cousins could get this team to playoffs. Most people think Pennix could as well. Taylor Heineke could not.

[@HiHello-Opd]

I'm still confused as a falcons fan but I'm also confused as to why I am a falcon fan soooo I'm ok with it

[@jeanfourcade]

It's called the "Fans Stockholm syndrom". Jets, Broncos and Cowboys fans are afflicted too. Don't sweat it, it not lethal.

[@texansforever6782]

those two are more Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne than Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

[@legman1476]

🤣

[@FOTP1983]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@jeffe2222]

There's a difference?

[@sergiosaldana6515]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@johnjohnson7036]

The good news for falcons fans is if you weren't happy with the Morris hire and you don't like your GM you won't have to worry about it much longer. They both going to get fired after this season

[@MumRah]

Let's hope so. But they need to fire McKay as well. He's the real problem

[@alexshirley6096]

They were worried big mean bill belichick would affect their jobs status no newsflash Terry Fontenot rich McKay Raheem morris your jobs are on the line because you draft poorly sign bad free agents and lose games

[@ec8107]

The GM made a pick for a player that won't play before he's fired 😂

[@yeshuaschazzar]

Good for your resume.

[@doctorhorton]

And the new GM will trade Penix for pennies because he is not their QB and go draft another one

[@timopint1125]

@@doctorhorton to the new team of the current GM. he is smart.

[@Liberty-rn4wy]

The comment about Kirk only starting noon games is genius.

[@yzfool6639]

Then the Falcons would be seen losing!

[@thetrevorsimpson-u8o]

There are 2 options: You Sign a Rookie QB TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS QB ROOKIE CONTRACT DEAL. Or you sign a big money FA QB you use DRAFT PICKS to win now with him. You either wasted 100 Million/Rookie QB contract or you wasted a 1st round draft pick. If Cousins plays well you wasted a #8 draft pick if Cousins falls off a cliff in 2 years you wasted 100 million. THEY HAVE TO PLAY PENIX even if Kirk is still playing well.

[@nickfb92]

The $100 million is for the first two years of Cousins contract

[@MumRah]

​@nickfb92 that's a lot of money and a big part of the cap

[@jordansheffield6101]

@@MumRahand it will get you a division title which a lot of teams would pay for.

[@MumRah]

@jordansheffield6101 not incompetent leadership and drafting would have had that already

[@layziebdub]

@@nickfb92this. People don’t realize that Kirk’s guaranteed money is the first two years. I also don’t have a serious issue with Penix being 24 at the start of the season when they just brought in a QB that is 35 with a torn Achilles. Exactly how long did people expect Cousins to be their QB when he’s at the age that MOST QBs not named Brady start to break down or regress in ability.

[@toogyman]

This thing is getting traction across this side of the pond Bill Shakespeare in his weekly NFL round up called ‘Two QB’s or not Two QB’s , that is the question 🤔?’

[@frankgraham1996]

The Falcons decided to face the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune".

[@yellowsnowman9157]

Belichick dodged a bullet avoiding that Atlanta mess. The HC and GM are clowns. Penix will bust.

[@Unknown17]

For weeks I had to listen to all these sports "journalists" speculate about why ATL didn't choose Belichick, but I heard NOT ONE person even hinting that maybe Belichick didn't choose them.

[@brodgers04]

The funniest thing about this is that people think Blank had no say in this. He has to sign off on this. Which Yahoo Sports confirmed that he did. So no, they will not be fired and yes, the owner sees their vision. Who cares if no one else does. You dont have all of the information.

[@Andre-ig7dz]

Mediocrity thats their vision. You don't maximize cousins window or penix rookie contract but you make sure you have a decent quarterback all the time . I wonder how this is going to work out..

[@MrTerrell966]

@@Andre-ig7dz How are we not maximizing Cousins window? By passing on avg pass rushers for your future QB? Falcons added 5 Defensive players in the draft..

[@BAKEszn]

Pre rich saying “they had kirk throw the first pitch at the braves game” 😂😂😂

[@adrianvasquez254]

Like that means anything, right?

[@jbaruman272]

@@adrianvasquez254 The point is you bought in this guy as the new Bartkozski, Vicky, Ryan; the face of the franchise. You bought him and paid him as a win now solution. You paid him win now you are the solution money, You had told everyone that to the point where the Braves said yes let the new local hero throw out the first pitch. You then went and contradicted your last 6 weeks and DRAFTED a play day one/ win now QB with your 1st round top ten pick. It's all insane and yet SOOOOO Atlanta.

[@frankgraham1996]

But not from the mound... Achilles not healed yet?

[@adrianvasquez254]

@@jbaruman272 lol okay, well CLEARLY the front office don’t follow who throws out first pitches at Braves games, which shows their incompetence.

[@katza831]

Don't worry it's still atlanta your just fodder to make the better teams look good

[@jedichurn]

Belichick is like “Thanks, Mr. Kraft!”

[@Gustarx]

Owner is also 81 years old. He wants to win NOW, he may not be able to wait 5 more years

[@PGO_Gaming]

So how does the Penix drafting make sense if he wants to win now?

[@Paula-mv8im]

The story was that's why the Falcons got Kirk....to win now.

[@Paula-mv8im]

@@PGO_Gaming Does Blank make those drafting decisions or does he let Fontenot handle it?

[@poliltinktink5343]

He can just buy another heart, or liver, or kidney, whatever he needs.

[@2xDeacon]

Watching Falcons fans defend and cope with this draft pick is f'n amazing

[@Hastur805]

I know right. They're all trying to rationalize this pick.

[@2xDeacon]

@@Hastur805 The cope is so hard. They use one defense while ignoring the counter-argument. They say, "Cousins is old and won't make it." That's fine, and we get that, so why are you paying him $100 mil and why did they sign him in the first place if they weren't confident in him completing a season? Crickets... Lol

[@Hastur805]

@@2xDeacon Exactly

[@johnnycash8567]

@@2xDeaconthat’s the cost of a top 12 quarter back in the modern nfl. 50 mil a year, not hard to understand

[@2xDeacon]

@@johnnycash8567 Kirk's price is the price you pay to WIN NOW, which would mean taking another WIN NOW pick on defense. Not hard to understand.

[@SinnerSavedByGrace85]

It’s not about the draft pick. It’s about what the draft pick represents!

[@drancealot]

The worst part is Atlanta has deprived us of seeing Penix play in his prime.

[@adrianvasquez254]

He’s not a RB lol. Are you saying that QBs 7 years into the league are past their prime? Mahomes is past his prime?

[@Drewswaggy]

Weird comment….

[@andrewsimckes5748]

His prime would have been 2 years ago now you will get to see him at 27 so he is supposed to start airing out that arm at that age and what hope he does not get injured?

[@3lpapi492]

His prime? hes a rookie

[@jasontye3307]

😂😂😂

[@dirtyrandy2592]

I’m confused, where the Falcons just a quarterback away? Because it felt like more than that to me.

[@geraldos9094]

Kirk is 36, why wait until there is no options left and go years without a decent QB.

[@ILuvRum]

The Jets were "just a QB away" and then... At least the Falcons have a backup plans should something go wrong 4 plays into the season.

[@geraldos9094]

What’s the probability of getting a high first round quality QB? What’s the probability of getting a OT, DE or LB? You can find good pieces for your defense in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, many has made the Pro Bowl, but most of the QB’s that was in the playoffs last year came out of the 1st round. Other than Brady, the likelihood of that happening again is slim. Falcons may not pick that high again in the next 3 years, I’ll take the future QB first and find him pieces in the other rounds.

[@yeshuaschazzar]

First question is do you have a QB? If the answer is no, then you do whatever it takes to get one. Now they have talent in the room, and the problem should be resolved.

[@geraldos9094]

@@yeshuaschazzar Do you have a quality QB? OR do you have just a QB?

[@alexamerling79]

As a Bears fan, I was terrified the Falcons would trade out of 8 to Indy, Buffalo or Jacksonville and let them jump us for Odunze. Thank you for staying put and taking Penix :)

[@petefaggen3893]

Shouldn’t have signed cousins. If your plan was to draft the rookie q b then you do that and go from there with the rookie contract. If you give Kirk that kind of guaranteed money, it’s insane not to draft defense or another position that help the falcons win now. Areogant pick thinking the falcons were one q b away from contention.

[@stevenbreen7243]

Cover your bets..a 36 year old injured QB, who if successful will have you picking late in the draft,and if he is not you are covered.

[@jacksonlandry1017]

Absolutely insane. Cousins will miss OTAs this year and penix will be throwing to the skill players. Might as well divide the locker room now. Wait for a vintage Kirk poor game and fans will be screaming for him. Fucked up the whole vibe before Kirk even takes a snap.

[@vincedidiana5781]

Bingo. Unnecessary drama. Players are going to get tired of answering the questions.

[@MrTerrell966]

That would happen if Penix was a 3rd rdr....

[@wandameadows5736]

It's the Falcons that made the Draft of Penix a topic & its gonna be a topic for longer than usual because it's gonna take 5-6 years to see if Penix was even worth it. This is the Falcons being the Falcons.Common sense is you don't draft a 1st Round QB successor to a guy you just signed to a huge contract & you especially don't do this when you have other NEEDS.

[@sdpjv]

Rich is 100% right.

[@arlieferguson7442]

What people forget about the Rogers situation is that they drafted love to a team that had just been to the conference championships. They were only one step away from the Super Bowl and there were multiple great receiver prospects they could’ve chosen from. So the real question about whether it worked out he’s really whether they threw away there a chance of the Super Bowl just to stay employed after the Rodgers era was over.

[@gingram2]

I hope Kirk Cousins never sees the field 🤣 I don't wish Michael Penix too much success because that would mean my Buccaneers suffer because of it. But I watched MP play against Caleb Williams and I think he outplayed him. I think he should've won the Heisman last season and I think he's a better QB than Jayden Daniels.

[@harrishogan943]

Anyone else starting to really miss Thomas Dimitroff?

[@jabaricrewsellis8740]

Its baffling that a lot of people TRUST THE FALCONS of ALL TEAMS with these decisions theyve made. The same team that drafted A TIGHT END IN THE TOP TEN A FEW SEASONS AGO and A RUNNINGBACK THAT THEY DRAFTED IN THE TOP TEN LAST YEAR who the falcons BETTER HOPE does better this season than LAST SEASON. This franchise hasnt been right since the 2016 super bowl against the pats and it shows.

[@MumRah]

Thank you. I've been saying this for 3 years

[@davidnottennant1161]

Atlanta just loves left-handed black QBs named Michael!

[@Brando_1212]

This Chris guy doesn’t get it, they could have had a top defensive player, another offensive weapon, an offensive tackle, a player that could make a difference right now, but instead they have a guy who’s gonna be holding an iPad for 2 to 4 years before he comes out and can make a difference. Is a team picking in the top 10 really good enough to just waste a pick like that?

[@jordansheffield6101]

Dallas Turner went 16 🙄

[@Brando_1212]

@@jordansheffield6101 17 actually, he was certainly good enough to be taken in the top ten, saw a lot of mock drafts with him taken at 8, in most normal years he probably would’ve

[@jordansheffield6101]

@@Brando_1212 they had him going 8 to the falcons because every body said it was need but if he was like that he wouldn’t have fell like that.

[@Unknown17]

The last question you asked is really where the crucial mistake comes into play. Whoever actually decided to take Penix totally believes that the Falcons don't need any help on defense at all--after all, no defensive players had yet been chosen when ATL picked Penix at #8--AND also believes that every position on offense but quarterback is okay as well. You used the right word: a wasted pick. Cousins has to be secretly pissed!!

[@mas2913]

It’s to move on from that mind-boggling decision. The Terry/Raheem duo have messed this up

[@michaeludeze8470]

My understanding is that teams go all in to win the Super Bowl. But Falcons used their First Round opportunity for the future, instead of trying to win now.

[@jordansheffield6101]

Since when does getting Kirk Cousins mean you’re going to a Super Bowl?

[@Paula-mv8im]

@@jordansheffield6101 Well, Vegas thought so. After the news broke that Kirk was signing with the Falcons, Sportsbooks moved the Falcons to 30/1 to win Super Bowl 2025 after opening at 50/1 prior. Atlanta now has the 12th-best odds to win the Lombardi Trophy.

[@jordansheffield6101]

@@Paula-mv8im so either the falcons go all in on the universe where Kirk Cousins is beating Patrick Mahomes in the SB or they are dumb?

[@michaeludeze8470]

@@jordansheffield6101 So, why didn't Falcons settle for a cheap Journeyman QB, since they did not have any hope or big plan. You can't have both ways. Either they wanted to win, or they did not. Why even play at all, since Mahomes is going to win, anyway.

[@michaeludeze8470]

@@jordansheffield6101 What is the point spending 100 million, then? There were cheaper options.

[@cblification]

Everyone in the media saying this was a terrible pick leads me to believe it will work out well.

[@Will_Moffett]

True. When does it not work out that way?

[@kylem6370]

@cblification right, everyone forgets that NE literally made Tom Brady the starter a season after signing Drew Bledsoe to a 10 year contract and after he came back in for Brady in AFC championship game when he got hurt he won them the game to go to the SB.. the fact they think cousins who is 36 and has 1 playoff win in 12 seasons was a crazy decision to have a backup plan at QB is the real crazy

[@srobeck77]

@@kylem6370 the fatal plot hole here is for every Tom Brady story there are thousands that never worked out

[@Andre-ig7dz]

than don't sign him. And the brady situation was totally difffrent they spend a 6 round pick on him. don't sign cousins if you want to draft penix. it not rocket science😅

[@woohoo918]

Absolutely no way to justify this. Even if Cousins goes out and blows an ACL in the first game of the season the team still has to waste $90M minimum on Cousins. That's $90M of wasted cap space that could've been used to surround Penix with talent (when you could've just signed a cheap, competent veteran bridge at QB). If Cousins plays well, you then wasted a top 10 pick that could've been used to provide Cousins with a blue chip talent for support.

[@mfduck8397]

Kirk and his Wife wanted ATL. Of course, they also wanted the bag. I don't think he's been screwed over, because the same business that resulted in the Penix decision is what got him both.

[@srobeck77]

And also the same "business" decision for why Atlanta is a losing organization that will continue to do just that

[@alexshirley6096]

Kirk cousins is a con artist and a grifter that said the reason the falcons deserve ridicule they could’ve simply said no to signing Kirk cousins

[@srobeck77]

@@alexshirley6096 how do u con whats available to everyone on film? Makes no sense.

[@Paula-mv8im]

So you would be completely happy if your replacement was hired right after you got hired???

[@mfduck8397]

@@Paula-mv8im If I had a contract which guarantees me 90 million dollars, yes. It's team sports, he can get injured in week 1 and because there's no backup who can win, finish in last place. Is that his preference? Pitts had a good season with Ryan, then disappeared. That's not a coincidence.

[@markpantoja2797]

Merriam-Webster has updated the definition of Hubris with a face pic of Terry Fontenot.

[@lamarsmith5971]

If Cousins plays only three out of his four year deal, this will still go down as a stupid pick. Falcons could've had Justin Fields for a sixth round pick and used the 8th on Dallas Turner.

[@MrTerrell966]

KIrk knows the offense.. And hes way better than JF..

[@j.t.antonopoulos4886]

Critical thinking, for adults, in America, is dead. I still love you, Rich. So chatter away.

[@vinnywalton1050]

Charles, please stop mentioning Harden and Kobe in the same sentence, most of Harden points came from extra steps in his shot and isn’t a true scorer, no hardware to mention

[@vinniehugo9065]

The Falcons don’t realize for a QB with a lot of potential, it is a nightmare hearing from your team’s management that you have to wait 4-5 years before you start. And an injustice to all the players working hard for the team only to see management squander a pick, clearly not working hard for them. This creates a bad locker room situation.

[@MrTerrell966]

2 years.....

[@keithhastings4609]

Cousins is absolutely the textbook definition of a Bridge Quarterback. Nothing more nothing less.

[@thekingsson1757]

Facts the perfect bridge qb a hair under top 7 10 qb

[@jamespence9469]

As a long suffering (since 1966) Falcons fan, as soon as the pick was announced, I started ranting and raving and turned off the draft. I will start worrying about NFL football about this time this year.

[@TheMattTrakker]

How long until they're all fired?

[@TommyRibs]

Bad for Penix Bad for Cousins Bad for the Falcons Penix should just refuse to sign and go into Next Years draft. That would be his fastest path to get onto the field.

[@JoeDirt12500]

This is the 1st time in NFL history that a team signs a qb to over 100 million and then draft a qb in top 10 a couple weeks after. One is gonna be true either a 100 million backup or a top 10 that doesn't see the field on his rookie contract, either one is stupid and a waste

[@richj011]

There's a good chance at his age and just having recovered from surgery that he again gets hurt. They overpaid and probably should have just drafted Penix and used that money in free agency.

[@fordyman]

Being a falcons fan. The gift that keeps on giving 😂

[@srobeck77]

As a Vikings fan, this is endlessly humorous and I dont want it to end

[@fordyman]

@@srobeck77 Haha. It’s totally self inflicted. 🙈😂

[@jeanfourcade]

Falcons, Cowboys, Jets and Broncos... NFL should put y'all in the same division. Most entertaining ever.

[@srobeck77]

@@jeanfourcade and Browns. Definitely need Browns on that list

[@sstier48]

"This is not the first time this has happened in the nfl". yes it is... no situation is the same

[@plannein]

Was just so stupid. A bad move for literally everyone involved.

[@yzfool6639]

Why would any team use a first-round draft pick to draft a potential franchise QB when they don't have one? I still can't believe the Falcons did that.

[@pixledriven]

Rich: "It's unfair to these young QB's that they have to start immediately, they need time to develop." Falcons draft a QB they intend to let sit and develop behind a competent veteran Rich: "This makes no sense! Why would you do that?"

[@jeanfourcade]

Spot on. Rich is no better than the other talking heads. Shame.

[@atypicalturner8164]

Young being the key word…. Let’s say Kirk plays for 3 years in ATL, pen will be 27 with maybe no starting nfl experience and an older body which already has some horrible injury’s. Each to their own but for me I don’t get exited about re starting my franchise with an older, lacking in playtime Qb a few years from now. Especially when I’ve just signed a new qb jn a weak division which we could easily win now and get a nice home field advantage.

[@RyTrapp0]

You understand that he's speaking from two completely different perspectives here... yes?

[@pixledriven]

@@RyTrapp0 Yes, I realized he's flip-flopped his opinion on this.

[@RyTrapp0]

@@pixledriven ...or, you just can't follow discussion points very well Your first comment is from the player's perspective - the second comment is from the team's perspective💡 This isn't "flip flopping" - it's look at 2 different perspectives...

[@closer2theheart684]

To be an absolute paperweight at QB, Cousins is the master of getting these contracts. It's mind-boggling.

[@timflint25]

I feel really bad for both QBs - they both got screwed by this decision. Arthur Blank needs to fire Terry Fontenot. And the fact that Raheem Morris was really pushing for this behind the scenes shows that maybe he wasn't the right choice for HC.

[@jemazondo9331]

Cousins is getting paid. How's he getting screwed? He has no right to get offended by ATL securing a good back when that's how he got his bag 😅

[@ishudbgm]

@timflint25 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@plannein]

​@@jemazondo9331 Yeah nothing at all matters besides money

[@averyray319]

Well it shows you aren’t a falcons fan. Only time will tell what happens but Terry has been amazing for Atlanta and Raheem has the team more ready to run through a wall than any team since 2016

[@ishudbgm]

@@averyray319 stop it. You're a fan, you'd defend them if they drafted a punter first round. Every fan base thinks the team would "run through a wall" for the coach.

[@ronniewilliams9169]

Terry already said Penix was their number 2 guy after Caleb. They got who they wanted guys💯

[@philipbeadle6446]

Ok, so the falcons think they're gonna be picking in the 20s for the next few years, fine. Where did Green Bay take Rodgers and Love again? 24th and 26th. Huge difference between taking a good QB who's falling when you're already in that scenario vs taking a qb at 8 way above where the consensus says he gets drafted.

[@srobeck77]

Also, Rodgers was in his final year of his contract and at the time, coming off a major shoulder injury and was declining. Who knew Rodgers would visit some magic cave and eat magic mushrooms (his words) and then go on to play one of the best seasons of his career. Cousins on the other hand, was just fresh of signing a guaranteed monster QB contract just weeks before the draft.

[@Dommymarano]

As a Viking fan who couldn’t stand Cousins, this is perfect. May Penix have a great career, JJ going to do the same! Cousins only cared about getting paid! Captain Checkdown and Tuesdays off!

[@cnfuzd1]

Rich all last season : 'They throw these young quarterbacks into the deep end too quickly, let them develop ...' Rich after Falcons getting a young QB to let him develop under Cousins : 'Absurd!'

[@Statickification]

I know, right? That's why I don't listen to these sports media. Everyone has flexible opinions when it suits their bottom line.

[@jahwrld24]

Brother HE'S 24 YEARS OLD THEY SIGNED KIRK FOR 100 MILL IS NOT THE SAME THING as signing a bridge starter like my patriots did in Jacoby for Maye who's 21 years old

[@bwbdalek1]

He ain't young he's 5 years off from middle age 😂

[@cnfuzd1]

@@jahwrld24 Actually they signed Cousins for 180 mil over 4 years, with 100 guaranteed in the first 2 years. Still, the guy will be 36 when starting the season, so at the end of the contract he'll be 40. So even if he goes on a tear for those 4 years and doesnt get injured, Penix will 'only' be 28 (so has another decade in him at least) with a lot of maturity and a lot of training with and by Cousins, you then franchise tag him for another year at a lowly 6 mil while Cousins retires. If he lives up to expectations you can then hand him a bag, and if he isn't the dynastic QB for them, they can still trade him out or use him as a bridge for someone they draft then. And if Cousins DOES get injured or retires early, you still have a good fall back option. Drafting a first round QB and then letting him learn and mature is what teams SHOULD be doing all over the league, instead of pushing 1st round QBs into action way too early, or hoping their backup QB drafted many rounds later turns out to be a Brady or a Purdy. The only reason this is controversial is coz everyone has been doing it wrong for so long now, that the wrong way has now become the norm and media latch on to anything that isnt the norm coz controversy drives clicks.

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

Thought getting a QB didn’t help them much next year. But Penix has had two separate ACL tears, and two separate shoulder tears. Good luck with that

[@srobeck77]

Bingo

[@moony9337]

We acting like Kirk Cousins deserve to have everything catered to him. It’s part of the game 😂

[@someguy1994]

I don't think anyone is saying that. It's that if you pay a guy $100 million dollars to be your quarterback for the next 2 years (technically 90 but if you cut him after those 2 years another 10 is guaranteed) You've essentially gone all in on the next 2 years, and drafting his backup at 8th overall is completely antithetical to the idea of going all in.

[@jemazondo9331]

​@@someguy1994 All Kirk needs to worry about us healing and getting back on the field.

[@agendaxpushers1322]

exactly rich eisen needs to find a new topic

[@Drewswaggy]

@@someguy1994true…. But look at it as a cheap insurance plan for your big money investment. If Kirk comes out mediocre or gets hurt again…… all that money spent would be for nothing. I guess you don’t give a guy that much money from the start if he needs an insurance plan, but that’s where alt find themselves at. This whole situation is purely subjective. You can look at it negative or positive.

[@herrguru4264]

*BREAKING NEWS:* 1. Cousin Kirk, a Quarterback who pretends to work on Mondays, and doesnt work on Tuesdays and his silly fans, are upset that Michael Penix Jr. (the most talented college Quarterback since Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams & Deshaun Watson), a Quarterback who works from Sunday till Sunday got drafted. 😅🤣😂 2. Jeebus Forking Cripes... the Michael Penix Jr. whinging is getting on my nerves. The mistake wasnt drafting Michael Penix. The mistake was signing Kirk Cousins for $100M. Dude has earned more than Tom Brady, but only has 1 playoff win. 3. People are pretending as if Falcons drafting Laiatu Latu or Dallas Turner would have been the piece for Kirk Cousins to take the Falcons to the Superbowl. Kirk Cousins could have JJ Watt and Nick Bosa and he still wouldnt go to the Superbowl. 4. 14 starting QBs got injured in 2023. Therefore you might as well take a very good QB in the 1st round and a good Defensive End in the 2nd round and thats exactly what Atlanta did.

[@UnderCoverBeWater]

Rich has become a great analysis since his nfl network days. Voice of reason.

[@rccharger21]

They look like geniuses if they make it past the Cousin's contract and still have their jobs.

[@LoveBandit1000]

Just imagine how much better off they'd be if they had Penix on a rookie contract, no Cousins and the 180 million back....

[@srobeck77]

You left out how many free agent signings with 180 million too

[@BoHorn]

Or even just adding odunze or another top tier talent

[@MrTerrell966]

THeyll have Penix on rookie contract for 5 years.. Kirk is just a 2 yr deal...

[@srobeck77]

@@MrTerrell966 4 deal, but 2 is guaranteed

[@bobchester4471]

100 million guarenteed for a "Bridge" quarterback is foolish. Who do the coaches coach up? Who takes priority, left or right tackle?

[@Unknown17]

That's a really good point that I haven't heard other people mention....your star QB of the present is right-handed; your star QB of the future is left-handed.

[@MrTerrell966]

He was always a bridge until we found his successor.. He's 36....When has KC ever been known as a franchise QB? He's just a franchise negotiator.. lol

[@rmtjr237]

I’m a Saints fan but I see exactly what they are doing in Atlanta. Cousins was never the final piece, he’s the bridge to building a young talented team.

[@christianrapper5]

You don’t spend $50 million a year for a bridge quarterback. The Falcons are just looney

[@MrTerrell966]

@@christianrapper5 He's 36.. And he was the best QB available..Knows the offense... Falcons want to be relevent again and develop winning culture..

[@1RobertSmith]

Latu, Turner, and Verse. 1 will be good, 1 will be average, 1 will be a bum/injured. If I gotta take a gamble on it I might as well gamble for the highest position in team sports instead: QB. Great decision Falcons 👍

[@arlieferguson7442]

I think Rich‘s point is that something had to have happened on the spur of the moment on draft night. There is another theory though: Maybe getting Kirk was the owner‘s idea and the GM and coach decided they didn’t want to go with it. A third theory, which is from Ross Tucker is that needs to we’re looking for a way to make sure that they would stay employed long-term through Penix’s contract.

[@bryancroley2667]

Rich nails it on the human aspect of it. Kirk and the team likely had those convos giving Cousins the hard sell. Then to draft a qb is such a contradiction to signing Kirk

[@ILuvRum]

So everyone slammed the Jets for not having a backup and plan B for Rodgers getting injured. Now we have a similar situation, and the Falcons did make a plan B against an older QB getting injured and they are getting slammed for it. I think the Jets situation last year had a lot to do with this. Not that I am impressed, being a Saints fan.

[@AdamKlawonn]

It’s a business, and I think it was a smart business decision to get Penix. I get the emotional piece, but you can pay this kinda money for Daniel Jones ($40M/year) or you can get Cousins and train Penix. I’d take this scenario any day.

[@Andre-ig7dz]

Penix is ready to play you don't need to train him. Cousins is rehabbing from his injury so the whole team is going to lean towards penix especially the young guys. both qbs are proably pissed, so you created a toxic locker room for no reason.. they are bridge qbs like minshew,dalton, brisset, darnold ,locke... but no, you lie to cousins to get him there or you did't have a plan who you want to draft 50 days ago. it just plain stuppid on so many levels😅

[@djturner-smith6380]

The business part of it is what makes it a dumb decision. You could have a far cheaper bridge QB for Penix to learn from and spent the rest of the money on assets or you could get Cousins and use the pick to build the roster around him. Instead you have an expensive QB room and no team will give you what Cousins or Penix is worth because you don't need both. We just saw the Packers take a $40M hit with Rodgers contract, then the Broncos took an $80M hit with Wilson, just for the Falcons to volunteer themselves into a bad business decision.

[@AdamKlawonn]

OK, so your solution for when Cousins-who is still VERY good but had a severe injury, rehab, and will be 36 when the season starts-is to turn to…Taylor Heinicke? Cmon guys. No one wants to watch that for a season. All the decent backup QBs are spoken for, which means you’re gonna have to pay $$$ or trade future picks to get one. Or…you can have Michale Penix Jr for free, and have a QB room for the future. Think about it.

[@Andre-ig7dz]

@@AdamKlawonn man you contradict yourself. now cousins is 36 years old and rehabbing, why do you sign him. did you hear his press conference? he wants to win a superbowl and was glad that everybody in atlanta was on the same page😅 so at this point the either lied to cousins or they changed their mind. penix played a ton of football he is 24 that was the knock on him, he is ready , he doesn't need to sit for a long time. if you wanted penix u should have known months ago and at that moment no backups where signed. it just shows that the front office has no idea what they are doing...

[@AdamKlawonn]

@@Andre-ig7dz No-Cousins still has some great football left in him. Just look up “Achilles tendon injury” and see just how painful it is and how hard the rehab is. You’ll be glad Penix is in the building if something goes wrong. If they win, and don’t need Penix for 3-4 years, they will look like geniuses. If they lose or Cousins gets hurt, they will look like geniuses. I know it looks like a dumbass move and the front office looks like they made a mistake, for sure, but there is a “silver lining” here. Trust!

[@slicksalmon6948]

It was a genius move. They’ll get sick of Kirk Cousins’ soul crushing interceptions in two years, and Penix will be sharpened up and ready to go.

[@UnconventionalSpark]

Falcons gonna Falcon

[@Stinkinbadgez]

Eisen, the pressure you are putting on this kid will crush him.STOP

[@frankpinmtl]

Well Cousins now knows how it feels to be RG3, right? lol

[@Jerryattrickliverspottedhands]

No, Cousins actually had an NFL career worth talking about

[@ShinyHunterGojia]

​@@Jerryattrickliverspottedhands has he lol dude has ever even played in a championship game? He also can't win on prime time 99% of the time.

[@MumRah]

​@@ShinyHunterGojiamore than just him responsible for that

[@gsp3428]

Cousins was drafted in the 4th round. And RG3 hadnt proved anything in the NFL yet and hadnt been paid 100 million guaranteed.

[@frankpinmtl]

@@gsp3428 That's not the point; RG3 was drafted in the first round, with Cousins drafted later. RG3 was always looking over his shoulder...kinda like now.

[@richardgale1287]

It’s not like Cousins is injury-prone. He was ready to go behind RGIII his first three seasons, then started 15+ games the next EIGHT seasons. Last year was his first significantly injured year ever.

[@mustangs263]

I guess Atlanta will be on TV a lot now lol.

[@Unknown17]

...as a rated "R" horror movie!

[@drexy1300]

The only possible two situations that this pick pans out in the "best possible way" 1) the falcons always go to the playoffs each year with kirk and win the super bowl in the 2nd/3rd season of kirks contract and he says "well at 38/39 I figure I'll retire" and now you have Penix there for 2-3 more years on a rookie contract with a super bowl winning team. 2) Falcons are winning/doing well and Kirk has a career ending injury in the 1st or 2nd year and falcons get their money back from insurance and still have a possible top tier player now playing.

[@Unknown17]

No, no, here's what management thinks: "We'll get five solid years out of Kirk while Penix patiently sits on the bench watching him. (Because, after all, what else could he POSSIBLY want to do?) Then after that, we'll get 10-15 years out of Penix! OMG, we are SO smart!"

[@henrywallacesghost5883]

It's almost like they left the "goodburger" kids run the Falcons 😂

[@Sixfortyfive]

Aw, here it goes.

[@impoohnotsheisty]

And since when has anyone believed in Kirk Cousins as a franchise Super Bowl winning QB STOP IT

[@leevancleef358]

Cousins plays lights out? Penix sits longer Cousins gets hurt/stinks it up? Yes Penix plays but that was $100m out the window...but if ATL ok with that so be it

[@AKAthatoneguy]

Yep, best case scenario you waste 2-3 years of Penix's rookie contract with him sitting there. Other scenarios are Cousins gets hurt or plays like crap and you wasted that money. And if Penix doesn't pan out either? You're out the Cousins $ and wasted the 8th pick. Everyone seems to think that because the Packers have had QBs sit twice and it's panned out its some sort of magic formula. Ignoring the sample size of a whooping 2 QBs and the fact that either Rodgers or Love may have been just as good with less time on the bench.

[@MumRah]

"We're going to spend $100mill on a QB no matter what!!!" 😂

[@leevancleef358]

@@MumRah Not on a Rookie Contract

[@MumRah]

@@leevancleef358 of for whatever reason Cousins isn't playing, we basically are. Could have signed Flacco or whatever if this was the "plan"

[@TheWasif]

Nothing says Super Bowl trophies more than Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons. 🤗

[@stevenrussellwells]

This take will age about as well as Rich's opinions on Lamar's contract negotiations.

[@Andum48]

Lamar Jackson's contract dispute is one of the most idiotic contract disputes ever and Lamar is 100% to blame for that. The media doesn't want to call out the stupidity which is why people don't realize it.

[@stevenrussellwells]

@@Andum48 ... he won MVP last year. Obviously you don't remember or care to look back on his thoughts on it. All due respect, I don't care what your opinion is of his contract dispute, I was commenting on Rich's... which ironically involved the Falcons as well.

[@Andum48]

@@stevenrussellwells It's not my opinion, it's math. The fact that he won the MVP is irrelevant to his contract negotiations. The fact remains by holding out for a guaranteed deal he set his contract cycle back 2 years and left 60 mil on the table.

[@stevenrussellwells]

@@Andum48 the fact that he won MVP is extremely relevant because once again... I'm not talking about the financials, I very much understand that you are... in that regard we agree. I am speaking solely to Rich's take on Lamar's worth as a player and his talent, and that nobody should be trying to trade for him... namely, the Falcons.

[@robertcolacino7310]

The picture of Kurt in Braves gear is FKn gold

[@robrol8365]

Penix will learn on the sidelines and take over in two years as Jordan Love did behind Rodgers.

[@DaTekkenGod]

$100M bridge quarterback.

[@BoomorBust]

Then you wasted hella money

[@atypicalturner8164]

Excepted Penix has quite a bad injury history and will be a 26 y/o starter in this scenario with potentially 0 nfl experience. Jordon love will have had 2 years starting at the same age.

[@Andum48]

Penix is not a project QB, I would refuse to sign if I were Penix.

[@leevancleef358]

@@Andum48 Everyone assuming Penix is ok with sitting

[@Quantum_Zebra]

Is this REALLY that difficult? We have Cousins on a 2yr contract and then Penix takes over. We are winning now and winning later.

[@frankv3483]

Does Penix want to go to that team and sit for 2 years?

[@MrTerrell966]

Yes.. He was ok with it..

[@frankv3483]

@@MrTerrell966 That is what he says but I doubt that he was looking to sit on the bench for a couple of years.

[@steratorefriends6596]

This is nothing like Rodgers/Love, but seems like they're using that as a sample size

[@srobeck77]

If you actually compare the situation, its more unlike the GB situation than it is similar to it and way worse too.

[@steratorefriends6596]

@@srobeck77 I'm thinking so as well

[@stefonsomers2963]

Cousins isn’t wiping them a Super Bowl. Penix will end up starting

[@benaiah93]

It makes perfect sense. They'll build a righthanded offense for Cousins, and a lefthanded one for Penix

[@moony9337]

We’re focusing too much on value and cap. It ALL doesn’t matter if you have a GREAT QB

[@chazzhammer425]

Atlanta didn't even have a Top 30 visit with Penix. Yet they thought so highly of him to draft him at #8?

[@werocktheplanet]

LOVE YOUR COURAGE AND HUMANITY, RICH! What I've notice is that these front office/coaches are being hired not on Football merit but on HOW MUCH AND HOW WELL THEY CAN GASLIGHT the MEDIA with BS.

[@Unknown17]

No doubt, this is a huge part of it. Public relations abilities are highly prized (but still somehow overrated, because no one is fooled by what is said, anyway!)

[@messagetous]

What if they found out Cousins was a giant mistake?

[@NickSibz]

Falcons really told the Cowboys to "hold my beer" for oddest off season in recent memory.

[@domingogalindojr.5266]

As a Bucs fan, exceptional work Falcons upper management 👏🏽👏🏽🤣🤣🤣

[@toddthomas4761]

Chris Brockman is in deep denial 😂