After three straight seasons of going 7-10, the Falcons needed to make adjustments this offseason. That began with firing former head coach Arthur Smith and transferring on from QB Desmond Ridder. To switch Smith, Atlanta employed a well-known face of their former defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris.
Moreover, the Falcons went all-in at QB this summer time and landed veteran Kirk Cousins in free company. They gave the 35-year-old a four-year, $180 million deal. Cousins is coming off a season-ending Achilles harm in 2023. Essentially the most surprising transfer the Falcons made this offseason was utilizing the eighth total decide within the 2024 Draft to draft QB Michael Penix Jr. Lately, Falcons surprise Arthur Clean spoke to the media to defend his determination to draft Penix.
Michael Penix Jr. is the Falcons’ franchise QB of the long run
#Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean to @ajc on drafting Michael Penix: “Sooner or later, down the highway, (followers)’ll need to know that we are able to have a clean transition at that very vital place for the Atlanta Falcons within the Nationwide Soccer League.” https://t.co/ig6i1EdtXE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2024
When the Falcons drafted QB Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington, it was a serious twist within the first spherical. Atlanta had simply invested in QB Kirk Cousins via free company. Guaranteeing him $100 million when he signed. Regardless, the Falcons felt they have been able to draft Michael Penix Jr. regardless of different workforce wants. Proprietor Arthur Clean mentioned he’s joyful his franchise doesn’t take heed to the media and do what everybody else thinks they need to be doing. Many analysts had the Falcons taking a defensive participant with the first-round decide in 2024. As an alternative, they landed a gifted rookie QB.
Michael Penix Jr. performed six seasons in school, 4 with Indiana and two with Washington. The #8 decide within the 2024 Draft had accidents minimize his season quick on a number of events. Nevertheless, Penix made probably the most of his alternatives with the Washington Huskies. In his remaining two collegiate seasons, Penix Jr. performed in 28 video games. That included a beatdown within the 2024 Nationwide Championship to Michigan. He threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his remaining season with Washington. Now, the 28-year-old is the backup to Kirk Cousins and can get to study from him all through the season.
Some Michael Penix Jr. deep tosses. #Falcons pic.twitter.com/fhWcRlvw6M
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) July 31, 2024
Whereas the Falcons did spend money on Kirk Cousins, they know he is not going to be their QB perpetually. Cousins turns 36 in August and father time comes for everybody within the league sooner or later. In eight video games earlier than his harm in 2023, Kirk Cousins was 4-4 with the Falcons. He completed the season with 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The Professional Bowler was on tempo to have a dominant statistical season. Cousins now will get the prospect to play with a gifted offense trio in Atlanta. That features RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts. Atlanta desires to see their offense unlocked in 2024 and Cousins has the prospect to make that occur.
