NFL GM Confused by Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. Draft Pick, Says Team Has 'Needs Now'

Most head coaches and general managers spoken to by The Athletic's Dianna Russini believe the Atlanta Falcons' No. 8 pick of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was "logically incoherent."

According to Russini, one NFL general manager said the pick doesn't make sense given the age of 81-year-old Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

"Mr. Blank is how old? He wants to win now… he's not obsessing over '26 and beyond. They have needs now," the GM told Russini.

Russini was responding to a clip of ESPN's Mina Kimes, in which Kimes said Falcons leadership did their team "a disservice" by drafting Penix after already signing veteran signal caller Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal.

The contract the Falcons inked with Cousins in March offers him up to $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed, and locks him in with the team through at least 2026.

"If you think you're going to be good, which is why you're giving Kirk Cousins $100 million guaranteed, you're doing your team a disservice by not making your team better so that you can compete now," Kimes said.

"Offensively, they're set. Defensively, they haven't had a solid pass-rushing option since, frankly, John Abraham... In this draft you have the opportunity to either take the best edge rusher available, or trade down and take multiple shots on goal. They did neither of those things."

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot told reporters after the draft that "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback... but adding Michael Penix is thinking about our future."

Kimes argued that plan doesn't make sense due to Penix's age. The former Washington quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist is set to turn 24 in two weeks.

"In the pathway that you're describing, where maybe he sits for a couple of years— and if he doesn't, something's gone horribly wrong, and the Kirk Cousins contract was a huge waste, by the way— he's going to be 26 years old," Kimes said.

The points Kimes made are "aligned with a majority" of NFL team leadership Russini spoke with after the draft, according to The Athletic reporter.

The Falcons will be back on the clock Friday night as they look to add some help for Cousins and Russini. Atlanta could also potentially target edge rushers to bolster a group currently led by Arnold Ebiketie, although Kima noted the edge rushing depth in this draft class is relatively thin.

Atlanta currently holds one Round 2 pick and two selections in Round 3.