Forgive me for saying this, but the Falcons 2024 Quarterback move is GENIUS!

St. Widge said
They made the right move with Penix. Not because I think he's going to be particularly good but because they took a shot at a young QB they believed in and they had a chance to have 5 years with him on a rookie contract so they could use the money to build the team around him. I think he's likely Derek Carr at best so I think they took him too high, but the plan makes sense and it won't matter how high they took him if he works out better than I think he is.

But, what makes it an overall net dumb move is blowing $90 million on Cousins. It more or less means that they don't get the advantage of cap space that you usually get with a rookie QB on a rookie contract because they have to pay off Cousins. So they won't have that 5 year window or the money to build around him.

All big money moves that don’t necessarily work out look bad in hindsight. They somewhat mitigated that by taking a young QB on a cheap 5 year rookie contract. It was the right decision then. You can’t operate in hindsight when it comes to finding your franchise QB. Like I said, if Pennix becomes that guy, no one will care what they paid Cousins. If not it will be a death blow to their future for the next 5 years. Regardless, it was the right decision at the time. And Eff em for doing it and I hope he falls flat on his face.