There were plenty of people who were confused about the Falcons' selection of Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8. General manager Terry Fontenot only has to fully explain himself to one: owner Arthur Blank.
The Falcons inked veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason that featured $100 million guaranteed. Penix, a soon-to-be-24-year-old quarterback, will be on his rookie contract for four seasons, five if the Falcons pick up his fifth-year option.
Needless to say, Blank might have been one of the many scratching their heads about the decision, and many are speculating he confronted Fontenot about the pick shortly after it was made.
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NFL Network cameras caught Fontenot having an in-depth conversation with Blank after the pick. It's unclear what exactly they're talking about, but it certainly doesn't appear as if both are on the same page.
This very much looks like Terry Fontenot trying to explain himself #Falcons #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1vl7CgIrfV
— Cody Chaffins (@CodyChaffins) April 26, 2024
Barring a change at some point during the length of Cousins' contract, the Falcons either will have a quarterback on a rookie contract serving in a backup role or a veteran quarterback on an expensive contract serving in a backup role — or being an expensive cap cut.
Fontenot had already seemed to explain the logic earlier in the week. On Tuesday, he described quarterback as a "critical spot" and praised the Packers' recent decisions to draft first-round backups and use the length of that rookie deal on having them wait.
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“The way Green Bay has operated, I think you have to think like that," Fontenot said, per The Athletic's Josh Kendall. If we see a player we believe can be a franchise quarterback at any point whether it be this draft or next draft then you have to bring that player in.”
The Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers 24th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft despite having Brett Favre on the roster. Rodgers was on the bench until 2008, by which point Favre was with the Jets after retiring and unretiring and being released. The Packers later drafted Jordan Love 26th overall in 2020. He stayed on the bench until the 2023 season when Rodgers was traded to the Jets. Both times the new starters emerged as star QBs.
The two Falcons quarterbacks also were surprised by the pick. Cousins was reportedly blindsided by Atlanta's decision to spend a first-round pick on a quarterback. Penix reportedly said he did not know the Falcons were targeting him at No. 8 overall.
If the Falcons were out of step with the selection, the team didn't give off those vibes during a phone call with the Penix.
"We'll give you a big Atlanta hug"#NFLDraft: NFLN, ABC, ESPN pic.twitter.com/yLdtpScrVC
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 26, 2024
Every member of the organization, including Blank and Fontenot, welcomed Penix fondly.
There will be plenty of speculation about whether the Penix pick will work out. Fontenot is just going to have to hope Blank is fully on board with the stunning decision.
