There was no ‘adult supervision’ when Falcons decided to controversially draft Michael Penix Jr. at No.8, claims anonymous former NFL GM

The Falcons are moving ahead with a dual-track strategy– focusing on both present stability and future promise.

There was no ‘adult supervision’ when Falcons decided to controversially draft Michael Penix Jr. at No.8, claims anonymous former NFL GM

Terry Fontenot and Michael Penix Jr. (Via Yahoo Sports/Imago)

It’s been over a week since the Atlanta Falcons stunned everyone by drafting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. using their eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But they continue to make the headlines as people are still not over such a controversial draft decision. 

The reason why the franchise receive such mainstream attention is because they drafted a potential quarterback committing $100 million in less than two months after signing the top quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. The Falcons invested a huge sum in Cousins as they made him the highest-paid quarterback in the league with a $180 million contract. 

Although General Manager Terry Fontenot attempted to give reasoning behind this move, the NFL executives appeared absolutely perplexed by it. Fontenot was also seen explaining the draft decision to Falcons owner Arthur Blank right after the NFL first round. However, one former NFL General Manager anonymously claimed a strange reason behind the franchise’s bold decision at the draft, in a conversation with The Athletic. 

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I’d love to know what the conversations were in Atlanta leading up to that and why there was no adult supervision.
The NFL GM said

The anonymous NFL executive also dismissed Fontenot’s argument, that he was inspired by the Green Bay Packers by saying both are fundamentally different. 

The Falcons’ vision for Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins

Amidst the whole controversy, the Falcons have proved one thing they are moving ahead with a dual-track strategy– focusing on both present stability and future promise. Just like how the Packers did with the draft of Jordan Love in 2020 despite having Aaron Rodgers in his prime. 

It helped them carry out the quarterback transition smoothly and so it did as Love led his team straight to the playoff divisional round in his first year as a starter. The Falcons hope to do the same, as they drafted Penix Jr. to be a potential successor to Cousins. 

kirk cousins
Kirk Cousins (Via Imago)

However, their move has been questioned more than it has been applauded. Quarterback Cousins is reportedly not happy with his draft move by his new franchise.

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