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

Some of you still ain’t getting it. This thread has nothing to do with what I believe Penix can or will do for the Falcons. When I started this post I had no idea that he had even won a game. The brilliance I’m talking about is not based on what Penix may do for them after his promotion to starting QB.

It’s about the process Atlanta used to insert their new franchise quarterback into the lineup without sacrificing a season. Most teams who are desperate for their next star QB usually sells the farm on draft day to get their guy, and then they make him the starter from Day 1, and force him to learn the ropes at the School of Hard Knocks.

The Falcons had no way of knowing if they would actually get the QB that they wanted in the draft. So they needed a ‘bird in the hand’. That was Cousins. Not a great quarterback and he cost far too much money, but the guy has substantial experience at the position, and they knew that he would likely keep the Falcons heads above the water while they continued to search for their man of the future.

So they get what they wished for in the draft and they begin the season with an experienced QB who they are clearly not married to. And how does that help??? It motivates Cousins to prove how much better he is than the rookie. Did it make Cousins a great QB??? No. But it made the Falcons competitive while their future kid learned the ropes and the playbook.

The bonus for Atlanta is that Cousins played well enough to keep the Falcons in the conversation as a possible division champion. Not a great team, but still very hopeful. Then ‘suddenly’ Penix grows in knowledge of the plays and personnel and the coaches decide that it’s time to put him in as their new starting quarterback.

Some of the bonuses of this decision is that Penix wasn’t forced to be the savior of the franchise from Week 1. He didn’t have to face the growing pains of the position and the possible loss of fan confidence if the team didn’t win right away. It also saved Penix from the possibility of early season injuries that may have forced the team to keep Cousins around as insurance for another year.

But more than anything they have the future franchise QB coming into the starting role with two important factors. He’s healthy and they are the division leaders. Again, this isn’t about whether they win or flop. It’s about having a plan that up to this point has worked out as hoped. And it doesn’t matter if they win the division in the next few weeks or not. Penix gets to come into the season with a team that is in the playoff hunt knowing MORE now about his team and the pro game than he would have if he got the call from the start.

There’s no way of knowing what position the Falcons would be in right now if they had picked up a ‘cheaper’ insurance quarterback. Nor do we know what condition Penix would physically be in if he had played the first dozen or so games of the season. But even if he fails miserably now, he is starting his NFL career in one of the best possible situations for a rookie QB. He’s more familiar with the game, with his teammates, and with the task at hand without any major injuries and having everything to play for!

Like I said… GENIUS!