The Atlanta Falcons made a head-scratching decision in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Taking Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick wasn’t only a bit of a reach, it was also something that didn’t seem to make much sense for the organization.
As good a player as Penix could be, having Kirk Cousins on the roster and signed to a $180 million contract made it a bit of a head-scratcher.
Cousins may not have been aware of this pick, and he may not have been comfortable with it, either.
Nonetheless, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo doesn’t think they owed him an explanation whatsoever.
“I can’t worry about Kirk Cousins Feelings”
The @AtlantaFalcons made a smart decision
For More Mad Dog Unleashed: https://t.co/8etRk0mWHg pic.twitter.com/69S7mlC3nH
— Chris Mad Dog Russo (@MadDogUnleashed) April 26, 2024
Talking on his show, Russo claimed that the Falcons needed to do what was best for them, regardless of if it hurt Cousins’ feelings.
Penix Jr. is one of the most talented quarterbacks in this class, but he’s not exactly young, and he comes with injury concerns.
The Falcons will most likely have Cousins there for a year or two, meaning that Penix would be 26 by the time he finally gets an opportunity to be the starter, assuming he ever gets the chance.
Cousins might not be ready for the start of the season, and bringing in his potential replacement just weeks after making him the undisputed starter and giving him plenty of money might not do wonders for his motivation.
Even so, the Falcons are clearly more than determined to win now, and they won’t spare any effort in finding whoever leads them to success, regardless of his name, experience, or salary.
NEXT:
Michael Penix Jr. Reveals If He’s Heard From Kirk Cousins
