The Atlanta Falcons were one of 32 teams trying to better themselves in this year’s NFL Draft. Atlanta stunned everybody by drafting QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. What if I told you that was not the only thing stunning about that pick? Well, it turns out Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot denied a stunning trade proposal for that pick.
Atlanta Falcons Refused Trade Offer From Chicago Bears
![REPORT: Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Under Fire After Latest NFL Draft Trade Proposal Leaked 1 Chicago Bears](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_20240851_168400517_lowres-e1710440475953.jpg)
According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Atlanta Falcons received a call from the Chicago Bears concerning the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Important context to this is the Bears held the top overall pick and the ninth overall pick at this time.
Meirov went on to say that the Bears were interested in swapping their ninth pick for the Falcons’ eighth pick. Chicago was also willing to throw in a future fourth-round pick in that potential swap. Yet, Atlanta reportedly still denied this draft trade proposal.
Questionable Draft Moves From GM Terry Fontenot
![REPORT: Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Under Fire After Latest NFL Draft Trade Proposal Leaked 2 Minnesota Vikings, 2024 NFL Draft, Michael Penix Jr., Washington Huskies](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/USATSI_22207936-scaled-e1704209589508.jpg)
On the surface, it does not make much sense as to why Fontenot would deny this trade request. In this scenario, the Falcons would only move down one draft spot. Plus, the Bears drafted QB Caleb Williams with the top overall pick.
It is safe to assume Chicago would not have drafted the Falcons’ target by moving in front of them. That is because the Falcons ended up drafting QB Michael Penix Jr. This in itself was a controversial decision considering Atlanta acquired veteran QB Kirk Cousins earlier in the offseason.
Chicago ended up drafting WR Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick. If this report is accurate, the team was likely worried about Odunze still being available by the time the Bears picked again.
While things ended up working out for the Bears, this move draws more criticism to Fontenot. This is especially the case when the Falcons lost a fifth-round pick about six weeks later due to violating the NFL’s anti-tampering policy to acquire Cousins.
Atlanta Falcons Fans React
![REPORT: Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Under Fire After Latest NFL Draft Trade Proposal Leaked 3 Atlanta Falcons](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_22171569_168400517_lowres-1024x682.jpg)
Falcons fans also appear to be heavily critical of Fontenot after finding out this information. Here are some of the most notable comments:
“Did they think Chicago was gonna pick another QB? Lol”
“This seems really stupid of the Falcons NOT to do. If your true intent was to draft Penix the whole time, the Bears already drafted Caleb Williams. Bone heads”
“So they skipped on a 4th for literally no reason”
“Why would Atlanta not do this? Knowing good and well the Bears weren’t trading up for a QB…”
“The Falcons could’ve had a pick for free and instead managed to lose a pick from “tampering.” Perfect encapsulation of the Falcons as a franchise.”
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