FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons seemed to a northern NFC counterpart for inspiration within the 2024 NFL Draft, in the end following what was dubbed by head coach Raheem Morris as “the Inexperienced Bay mannequin” from 2020.
Regardless of signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal value as much as $180 million again in March, the Falcons used their No. 8 total decide to pick quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Make no mistake, Cousins stays the Falcons’ QB1. Each basic supervisor Terry Fontenot and Morris made that reality very clear late Thursday evening (early Friday morning?) when recapping the primary spherical.
“Kirk Cousins is our quarterback,” Fontenot mentioned. “We’re very enthusiastic about Kirk, very enthusiastic about this workforce. (With) Michael Penix we’re speaking concerning the future. The draft is you have a look at the long run and also you have a look at huge image.”
The rationale Fontenot and Morris referenced “the Inexperienced Bay mannequin” is as a result of the Packers did one thing comparable in 2020 after they drafted Jordan Love within the first spherical (twenty sixth total), although they’d Aaron Rodgers rostered with a profitable QB1 file that dated again to 2008.
Not like the Falcons with Cousins, who was contacted whereas on the clock, Packers basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst did not inform Rodgers the decide earlier than it was introduced. Nonetheless, Gutekunst publicly mentioned Love was “a long-term choice,” which has similarities to the Falcons’ view of Penix.
That 2020 state of affairs ended up figuring out for the Packers. Rodgers left as a free agent for the New York Jets in 2023, and Love stepped proper into the beginning position. Inexperienced Bay then made the playoffs, profitable a wild-card sport however dropping within the divisional spherical.
“The Inexperienced Bay mannequin was one thing that we talked about,” Morris mentioned. “It has been confirmed to be proper, final 12 months. Hopefully, we’ll be proper with them.”
Love was Rodgers’ backup for 3 seasons. Love did not take a snap till his sophomore season, showing in six video games and beginning only one. He appeared in 4 in 2022. After which final 12 months, he began all 17 video games and accomplished 64.2% of his passes for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The thought is Penix can correctly develop underneath Cousins so when his alternative comes – whether or not in Atlanta or elsewhere – he, too, is prepared for a full schedule of labor.
“You are speaking a couple of man that is had a whole lot of success within the Nationwide Soccer League (in Cousins), and also you’re speaking a couple of younger man coming into the league (in Penix),” Morris mentioned. “(Penix) goes to be hungry. He will be desperate to study and simply have a sure need that it takes to sit down again and study. I watched Kirk do it. Now it is Michael’s time to do it.
“You may’t put that on Kirk. Kirk’s job is simply to be an expert. Kirk will present him the best way by how he goes about his each day enterprise each single day, and Michael will get an opportunity to see that firsthand. I believe that is actually an excellent factor for a younger participant.”
Their timelines align, too.
As already talked about, Cousins is underneath contract for 4 years. Penix, as a first-rounder, may also be on the hook for 4 years, with a fifth-year choice. Which means, when these deadlines do come up, a alternative will should be made by the Falcons brass.
However the Falcons aren’t worrying about that but.
“Once more, Kirk is our quarterback,” Fontenot mentioned. “However including Michael Penix is considering the long run.”
