Suppose Kirk Cousins (provided he stays healthy) does well in Atlanta, taking the Falcons to the playoffs. Where in the 2025 and 2026 drafts will the Falcons be picking in the first round? In the 20s, one would expect. Now, would it be realistic to think a “Quarterback of the Future” will be available at that point?
Apparently, strategic thinking is not too appreciated in sports analysis. Reportedly, for those in the know (who saw him as a top-3 QB pick, if not for the injuries he experienced in Indiana) it was quite unexpected that Michael Penix was on the board at #8. Expecting that Penix would still be available further down the line was not realistic; Penix was on the radar of a number of teams. The Broncos would have certainly picked Penix at #12 if the Vikings didn’t at #10.
That the Falcons chose to draft a QB in the 2024 draft was not in itself surprising. Putting all the eggs in the Cousins basket is obviously not wise. But, the Falcons pulling the trigger in the 1st round astounded the world. I was expecting the Falcons to wait until the 2nd or 3rd rounds to pick Desmond Ridder v2.0 (likely Bo Nix, out of Oregon, or Spencer Rattler, out of South Carolina). This would be a choice which would probably doom the Falcons to, at best, mediocrity for the next 5-6 seasons. The Penix pick was high risk-high reward. Falcons owner Arthur Blank, at age 81, went along with it because he could see down the road that any other decision would never win a championship.
If I were a Jets fan, drafting a game ready QBotF to play behind the fragile old guy coming off an injury might have made me grumpy until. 10 minutes into the season. Of course the knock against Penix is that he’s shown signs of fragility too, but nothings guaranteed in the NFL.
Cousins made it clear in Minnesota that he wasn’t going to mentor his replacement. He was reportedly furious that Atlanta drafted another QB as his possible successor. Good move on Atlanta’s part! A strong kick in Cousin’s ego and a reminder to him that no matter how much money he’s making, he isn’t indispensable! Best possible motivator!
Alabama Al 5 months ago
Suppose Kirk Cousins (provided he stays healthy) does well in Atlanta, taking the Falcons to the playoffs. Where in the 2025 and 2026 drafts will the Falcons be picking in the first round? In the 20s, one would expect. Now, would it be realistic to think a “Quarterback of the Future” will be available at that point?
Apparently, strategic thinking is not too appreciated in sports analysis. Reportedly, for those in the know (who saw him as a top-3 QB pick, if not for the injuries he experienced in Indiana) it was quite unexpected that Michael Penix was on the board at #8. Expecting that Penix would still be available further down the line was not realistic; Penix was on the radar of a number of teams. The Broncos would have certainly picked Penix at #12 if the Vikings didn’t at #10.
That the Falcons chose to draft a QB in the 2024 draft was not in itself surprising. Putting all the eggs in the Cousins basket is obviously not wise. But, the Falcons pulling the trigger in the 1st round astounded the world. I was expecting the Falcons to wait until the 2nd or 3rd rounds to pick Desmond Ridder v2.0 (likely Bo Nix, out of Oregon, or Spencer Rattler, out of South Carolina). This would be a choice which would probably doom the Falcons to, at best, mediocrity for the next 5-6 seasons. The Penix pick was high risk-high reward. Falcons owner Arthur Blank, at age 81, went along with it because he could see down the road that any other decision would never win a championship.
DangerBunny 5 months ago
If I were a Jets fan, drafting a game ready QBotF to play behind the fragile old guy coming off an injury might have made me grumpy until. 10 minutes into the season. Of course the knock against Penix is that he’s shown signs of fragility too, but nothings guaranteed in the NFL.
For a Just and Peaceful World 5 months ago
The weird part is “$100 million”.
Ellis97 5 months ago
That’s the thing about the NFL: You never know what’s going to happen.
Linguist 5 months ago
Cousins made it clear in Minnesota that he wasn’t going to mentor his replacement. He was reportedly furious that Atlanta drafted another QB as his possible successor. Good move on Atlanta’s part! A strong kick in Cousin’s ego and a reminder to him that no matter how much money he’s making, he isn’t indispensable! Best possible motivator!
jconnors3954 5 months ago
Given the number of injuries to players a good backup is essential.
PoodleGroomer 5 months ago
You need to see if a quarterback can dance. Kansas City gives dance lessons every week.
fourteenpeeves 5 months ago
Considering that quarterbacks appear to g et injured every time they blink, I’d keep a dozen of them in t he freezer right next to the eggs