Falcons drafted QB Michael Penix Jr. to avoid past 'unsettling feeling'

The Atlanta Falcons have been highly criticized for drafting QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after handing QB Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract ($100M guaranteed) in March.

However, it seems the Falcons' decision to select Penix Jr. was highly influenced by not having a transition plan since moving on from Matt Ryan following the 2021 season.

"It was an unsettling feeling, sitting there in '21," assistant general manager Kyle Smith said, via the team's official website. "I'll never forget sitting there with (GM) Terry (Fontenot) and being like, 'OK, well, what's our future? What's our plan for the future? How are we going to solidify down the road?'

Over the past two years, Atlanta has rolled with Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, finishing with a 7-10 record each season.

So, the Falcons made it a point to change the franchise's direction this offseason with more than just a one or two-year outlook.

"For the next five years, we feel great about the position. Minimum," Smith added. "It's not just about this year or next year. It's about five years minimum."

Having both quarterbacks should provide Atlanta with the comfort it has been missing.

Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles, but he should be fully healthy by the start of the season and has been one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the league.

Since joining the Vikings in 2018, Cousins has thrown for 23,265 yards, 171 touchdowns and just 55 interceptions.

Penix Jr. has a bit of an injury history as well, tearing his ACL twice during his time at Indiana (2018-21). However, he has been healthy the past two seasons and has thrown for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

The Falcons could have used the No. 8 pick on a player who would have an immediate impact on either side of the ball, but the team is still backing its decision with a plan for the short-term and long-term.

"What we did to get Kirk Cousins should tell everybody what we believe in Kirk Cousins," Smith finished. "Then, in the draft, Michael Penix was there. It's a quarterback -- a young quarterback -- that we believe in. We pulled that trigger. I mean, that's as clear as I can say it."