The Falcons picked Penix with eighth overall pick in the draft.

Something is brewing in Atlanta and it surely ain’t coffee. The picture of owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot sharing an awkward exchange ahead of announcing the Falcons’ draft pick has been making rounds on the internet. Well, this picture aptly summarizes the reaction of fans to the team’s decision to pick Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Atlanta Falcons made a blockbuster signing of Kirk Cousins earlier in the off-season offering him $180 million for a period of four years. The team is set at the QB position which is why it was surprising to see them draft Michael Penix out of Washington. Kyle Pitts, the tight end for the Falcons was keeping close tabs on the draft and tuned in to B/R Gridiron to give his live reaction to his team’s pick. Needless to say, Pitts was taken aback by their choice.

That's a slinger right there man! Now, as a younger guy who loves to hang around older people, I think this is great for him, to learn from such a professional like Kirk and to see how he operates in the building, on and off the field. He's a great young player...we've been watching him since Illinois and Washington so it's great to see him and I can't wait to get him in the building, this is a good one..

Kyle Pitts said

Pitts is of the opinion that Penix could not have asked for a better situation to be placed in than the Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons will look to groom Michael Penix for the first few years similar to the Packers’ development of Jordan Love

Kyle Pitts has kept a close eye on Michael Penix’s game and he knows how talented the quarterback is. The biggest advantage that the young quarterback has as a Falcon is that he gets an opportunity to learn from Kirk Cousins, who has established himself to be one of the most professional franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. Penix can understand how to carry himself as a franchise QB and Cousins will be the perfect guide for him.

Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix (via IMAGO/BleacherReport)
However, despite his initial optimism, Kyle Pitts further went on to admit that the Falcons’ decision to opt for a quarterback in the first round was bizarre.

I'm very shocked, I'm not going to lie...I did think we were going defense...but that definitely kind of changed up the dynamic.

Kyle Pitts admitted

Pitts’ reaction was shared by fans of the team who did not understand why the Falcons would use their first-round pick on getting yet another QB when they could have picked a defensive player or a receiver.

It would seem that the Falcons are bringing Penix aboard to prepare him as the backup to Kirk Cousins. Moreover, the team is likely following along the trajectory of the Green Bay Packers. In 2020, despite Aaron Rodgers playing at the peak of his game, the Packers picked QB Jordan Love in the first round, a decision that turned a lot of heads. However, Love spent the first few years learning from Rodgers and in his first season as a starter for the team, he has excelled and taken his team to the playoffs.

The Falcons are likely preparing Penix for the future. Another reason could be that because Kirk Cousins is coming off of an Achilles injury, there is a risk that he could get injured once again. In that case, Penix can step in and fill in his shoes for the interim.