The Atlanta Falcons had the most shocking selection of the entire 2024 draft. That was when they selected Michael Penix Jr. with their first round pick weeks after paying Kirk Cousins $180 million to be their quarterback for the next four years.
Everyone was wondering what owner Arthur Blank thought about this decision, and now he is reportedly ‘ok’ with the teams decision to take Penix.
Atlanta Falcons Owner Reveals Opinion Of 2024 Draft
While there was a lot of controversy that came from the Falcons first selection in the draft, it is being reported now that Blank seems to be ok with the selection.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Falcons were told that Blank approved the selection of Penix Jr. even though they just broke the bank on Cousins:
“Owner Arthur Blank looms large here. I’m told he fully endorsed long-term stability at the position, which Kirk Cousins, at age 35, cannot satisfy to the same degree,” Fowler wrote. “Blank had two quarterbacks – Michael Vick and Matt Ryan – controlling his offense for the better part of two decades. Blank is not used to the QB carousel.”
The general manager for the Falcons, Terry Fontenot, took a lot of heat because of the first round selection of a quarterback, and a video went viral of what appeared to be the GM explaining the pick to owner Blank. This is the type of move to make or break Fontenot’s career with the Falcons going forward.
Fontenot has been vocal that Kirk is indeed the quarterback for the team for years to come.
Kirk Cousins Is Not Happy About Atlanta Falcons Pick
Cousins reportedly left his previous team, the Minnesota Vikings, because they informed him that they would be taking a quarterback. It was reported as well, that the Falcons did not even give Cousins the heads up that they would select Penix in the draft.
General manager Fontenot has already explained that Cousins will be the starter going forward and that the plan is for Penix to eventually be the long term answer at quarterback.
“Kirk Cousins is our quarterback,” Fontenot said. “We’re very excited about Kirk. We’re very excited about this team. Michael Penix is … we’re talking about the future. You look at the future. You look at the big picture. We are very excited about that quarterback room, and again, Kirk is our quarterback. But adding Michael Penix is thinking about the future.”
Cousins was reported to not be happy on draft night when this all went down as Jane Slater of the NFL Network reported:
“As we all sit in shock over the Atlanta pick, a source tells me Kirk just as “shocked” and “disappointed” Never said anything to him or his reps about a QB in 1st round despite suggesting they would. Still “it’s a business.’”
Blank is ok with this move, but there seems to be drama bubbling in Atlanta.