The Falcons’ decision to use the eighth overall pick on a quarterback, just six weeks after committing $100 million to Kirk Cousins, has left many questions and confusion. It seems counterproductive to their goal of winning a championship with him. Was this move planned all along? Did they have any doubts about Cousins’ abilities or potential?
The lack of clarity in communication from the Falcons may have contributed to Cousins’ confusion. Their message of chasing a championship seems to contradict their actions of drafting a quarterback for the future. This approach should have been made clear to Cousins during the recruitment process so he could make an informed decision before signing with Atlanta.
The comparisons between the Falcons and the Chiefs when it comes to treating Alex Smith are not entirely accurate. While Smith had several years with the team before they decided to move on, Cousins has yet to play a game with the Falcons, making it seem premature to already be planning for his replacement. This suggests that the Falcons may be underestimating Cousins’ abilities by assuming he is only capable of taking them to a certain level but not further.
Penix’s drafting sends a clear message that the Falcons are betting on the Cousins narrative and are prepared to stick with it. By choosing Penix over a player who could make an immediate impact, they risk creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that reinforces their beliefs about Cousins’ capabilities. While Cousins will still receive his $100 million contract, his hopes of a Super Bowl win with the Falcons may have been dashed as they seem to have pulled the rug out from under him, much like Lucy did with Charlie Brown.
In conclusion, it is confusing why the Falcons would choose to draft another quarterback just six weeks after committing $100 million to Kirk Cousins. The lack of communication and clarity from the team may have contributed to this decision, but ultimately, it sends a mixed message about their intentions towards their star quarterback.
