NFL Insider Illustrated acknowledged on Tuesday that “things were a little awkward” within the Atlanta Falcons after they signed quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency and then made signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. the eighth pick of this year’s draft. However, Breer added that “the situation in Atlanta has normalized” heading into June.
Delicate Balance Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
“Penix’s maturity, humility, and emotional intelligence allowed the rookie to carry a tactful approach into what was a pretty unusual entry to the NFL for a top-of-the-first-round quarterback,” Breer explained. “Cousins, for his part, did what he’s done throughout his career (and he’s been in situations more awkward than this one before) in taking the high road.”
Cousins didn’t know when he inked a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed to leave the Minnesota Vikings for the Falcons in March that Atlanta could spend a first-round draft pick on a quarterback in late April.
The veteran who turns 36 years old in August has since openly discussed the importance of the quarterbacks on the roster “trying to help one another succeed” as he recovers from the torn right Achilles he suffered on Oct. 29.
Kirk Cousins’ Leadership
“He already has a lot of command over new Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s offense and is raising the standard for the other 10 guys in the offensive huddle,” Breer said about Cousins’ performances in springtime practices.
Breer indicated that Penix will take practice reps with the backups throughout the summer en route to possibly serving as Atlanta’s QB2 for the regular-season opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 8. Such a scenario presumably could make for a future “awkward” situation if Penix is called into action this fall because Cousins is unavailable for any reason.
Future of the Atlanta Falcons QB Situation
Cousins won’t take his first meaningful snap as an Atlanta quarterback before September, but some are already wondering if the two sides could agree to a divorce as soon as March 2025. While everyone involved seems to be on the same page following Memorial Day, nobody associated with the Falcons should be taking any victory laps quite yet regarding what remains the most controversial decision of this year’s draft.
As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as the betting favorites at -105 odds to claim the NFC South title for the 2024 season. One can only guess what those odds would look like had Atlanta given Cousins some help with the draft’s eighth overall choice.
Road Ahead for Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are heading into a season filled with high expectations and considerable scrutiny. Cousins’ leadership and experience will be crucial in guiding the team, while Penix Jr.’s development could shape the future of the franchise. The balance between nurturing a veteran’s recovery and a rookie’s growth is delicate, but Atlanta seems to be handling it with a deft touch.
The situation between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta has evolved from awkward beginnings to a more stable and cooperative dynamic. As the Falcons prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on leveraging the strengths of both quarterbacks to achieve success on the field. The eyes of the NFL world will be watching to see how this intriguing story unfolds.
Source: yardbarker
