After locking up veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in the offseason, it was peculiar to see the Atlanta Falcons target another signal-callers with their first round pick. The decision to use the no. 8 overall pick on 23-year-old southpaw Micheal Penix Jr. left the football world stunned with many unable to comprehend the logic behind the move.
Falcons Assistant GM Kyle Smith has now provided some clarity on the situation.
“What we did to get Kirk Cousins should tell everybody what we believe in Kirk Cousins. He’s our guy. We set ourselves up,” said Smith per the team’s website.
According to the 39-year-old executive, the organization is planning for the long-term as they look to build some stability for the future.
“For the next five years, we feel great about the position. Minimum,” added Smith.
Cousins is set to turn 36 in a few months and is coming off an achilles injury that limited his game time in 2023. He finished the year with 2331 passing yards and 18 touchdowns over eight games. The franchise seems committed to Cousins for the next few years as $100 million of his contract is guaranteed.
Penix Jr. will have to wait back has the opportunity to learn from one of the game’s best as he prepares for a lengthy future in the NFL. The former Washington quarterback offers a different skillset than what Cousins possesses and it is always good to have a capable backup incase of injury concerns.
