OT: It’s time to talk about Penix

[cameronkrazie86]

Tory Taylor in round 4 was a better pick than the Falcons made at pick 8!

 

[ursamajor]

I get it sort of - Cousins is 35, so injury concerns are greater. If you get down to end of season and you’re in the hunt and Cousins gets injured…well- this is how you get a high level backup in place for a manageable salary for a long duration.
Green Bay model - Roger’s and Love sat for several seasons behind solid starters and learned the position.

When Rodgers was drafted and learned under Favre, was Rodgers’ rookie season also Favre’s 1st season with the Packers?

When Love was drafted and learned under Rodgers, was Love’s rookie season also Rodgers’ 1st season with the Packers?

It is not the same thing, as what Atl did here, or what the Bears did with Glennon and Trubisky.

 

[Myk]

That is A LOT of salary cap committed to a place holder.

It could possibly work, but I’ll just say that from the instances I’ve seen of a guy sitting for a couple of years to take over, only has worked when the guy he’ll be replacing, has been with the team, and in the offense for some years. This will be both Cousins’ and Penix’s first year with the Falcons. Cousins still has to learn everything for himself, and will not be in the best spot to focus any real energy into mentoring Penix, this off-season.

I certainly don't disagree but we've seen Bears fans calling for this exact thing even this year with the #1 QB pick.
Get a vet, sit the #1 for a year so he can learn from the vet.
People think they can buy an instant gratification just add water pre-mix.

I don't think Cousins was a good answer and at 35 certainly isn't a long term answer. That's why I say it makes sense and nobody should be shocked.
As far as Penix I don't think you can teach the NFL problems I predict out of him. About all you can do is give him a stellar oline. Maybe they have one or figure Cousins buys them time to get one.

 

[msadows]

Tory Taylor in round 4 was a better pick than the Falcons made at pick 8!

Tory wont have to wait 4 years to see the field either

 

[Toast88]

I get it sort of - Cousins is 35, so injury concerns are greater. If you get down to end of season and you’re in the hunt and Cousins gets injured…well- this is how you get a high level backup in place for a manageable salary for a long duration.
Green Bay model - Roger’s and Love sat for several seasons behind solid starters and learned the position.

You’re not wrong, but if that’s the case, they never should’ve signed Cousins to such a rich, fairly-long-term deal.

 

[Myk]

You’re not wrong, but if that’s the case, they never should’ve signed Cousins to such a rich, fairly-long-term deal.

That's what people should be shocked about.
You paid who, how much, for how long???

The only thing I can figure is how NFL contracts work, 50% and the hit isn't as bad. Or they figure he'll retire when it's time.

 

[Heidenlarm]

Tory wont have to wait 4 years to see the field either

Are you sure about that?

 

[msadows]

That's what people should be shocked about.
You paid who, how much, for how long???

The only thing I can figure is how NFL contracts work, 50% and the hit isn't as bad. Or they figure he'll retire when it's time.

Thats wishful thinking. I doubt cousins has any plans to retire in 2 years with how much money QB's are making

 

[Myk]

Thats wishful thinking. I doubt cousins has any plans to retire in 2 years with how much money QB's are making

Even more reason to not give a 35 year old not a great QB a 4 year contract.
Peyton Manning, sure. But Cousins?

Cousins' reported shock says you're right, he's not going willingly.

 

[PrideisBears]

It doesn’t make any sense.

Presumably when you win a mini bidding war and tamper to acquire Cousins for pretty big money and several years, you have other ideas for what resources you can fill with a first round pick. Not the exact same position with a guy who’s clearly a reach.

The Falcons are so fucking dumb.

Trust me, the fans in ATL are pissed

 

[Salvaged Ship]

I thought the Cousins contract at his age coming off that serious of an injury was ridiculous, drafting this kid at pick 8 just adds to the bizarre situation. If Cousins comes back and struggles or is slow to recover from injury he will be looking over his shoulder and the fans will be on the coach to play Penix. It’s just crazy, anyway I’m glad its not us

 

[Bearly]

This is the punishment the league dictated to Atlanta for tampering, LOL.

 

[Salvaged Ship]

Cousins is 1-3 in his playoff career nd if I am not mistaken the one win was that miracle play as time ran out. He throws for plenty of yards but has done nothing in the postseason, to throw that kind of guaranteed money to him at his age with the serious of an injury was nuts to begin with, now Atlanta drafts his successor early in round 1 before he ever takes a snap. Ryan Pace affect, that franchise is a joke.

We were a joke, not anymore!

 

[UChiLAbear]

Glennon (sp) - Trubisky
Cousins - Penix

Common denominator = Pace. The guy just can't help himself in f*^@ing things up. Hated him from his very first draft pick w/da Bears.

 

[remydat]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1783718545597026398

The issue isn't drafting Penix. The issue is signing Cousins and then drafting Penix. Just a huge waste of resources for a team that likely isn't going anywhere the next 2 years.

 

[UChiLAbear]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1783718545597026398

The issue isn't drafting Penix. The issue is signing Cousins and then drafting Penix. Just a huge waste of resources for a team that likely isn't going anywhere the next 2 years.

lmao.........

 

[UChiLAbear]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1783718545597026398

The issue isn't drafting Penix. The issue is signing Cousins and then drafting Penix. Just a huge waste of resources for a team that likely isn't going anywhere the next 2 years.

I agree, you have identified the real issue.

 

[HearshotKDS]

Strategic dissonance, theres very few outcomes where both the QB decisions are correct - if Cousins balls out then you didnt need Penix - what you needed was a better offseason than Darnell Mooney and journeymen vets. If Cousins flops or isnt good enough to save the franchise and they move to Penix (most likely path imo) then WTF did you spend all that money on Cousins for? You knew Penix was going to make it to 8 lol come on now that wasnt a suprise or a question of if.

OTC has Falcons as the 3rd worst team capwise in 2024, and bottom 10 in 2025 with both their vet CB and their NB being free agents. So ATL is not in a financial position to significantly improve their team, their best draft asset is at a position that cant share the field with their highest paid FA, feels like they spent all that cash just to be a 1 and done 7th seed in the playoffs for the next 2-3 years, just to be forced into an uncomfortable "5th option or extension or risk FA?" dilemma for Penix who may not have more than a few games in the NFL under this belt to make that decision off of. They are like the Dilly Donovan Bulls of the NFL as much as it pains me to make that comparison.

 

[IBleedBearsBlood]

I wouldn't hate it if Penix was 20, 21 years old but not when he's about to turn 24. Assuming Kirk stays healthy post-Achilles, it means Penix is likely 26 at the earliest before starting at QB with a decent chance of it not happening until he turns 27 or 28 depending on how Kirk plays. Think Penix is more likely to be traded (probably by a new GM after this season goes sideways due to not enough improvements) before starting a game for the Falcons and at a worse trade value.

I honestly think they see it this way. If they think highly of Penix, then they think he is able to match or surpass Cousins in year 2 or 3. If that’s the case, then that’s great for them. They don’t mind if Cousins sits and they still have to pay him millions of dollars and way less to Penix to start. They will still be shelling out the same amount of money, no matter who sits or starts. Let’s just say it costs 200 mil for both guys. If Cousins starts and Penix sits for all for years, you spend 200 mil. If Penix starts in year 2 and is good and cousins sits in year 2, at the end of year 4, they still only paid 200 mil. Again, this only works out if Penix matches or surpasses Cousins’ play. If he doesn’t, then it’s a wasted pick, since it was a first rounder.

Also, Cousins contract is essentially a 2 year deal for 100 million. If Penix is ready, they will get out from that other 80 million. Just the 100 million is guaranteed. Cut ties and take the cap hit for 2026 and the low cap hit from Penix. If you still want him, restructure if he’s fine with it.

 

[HearshotKDS]

I honestly think they see it this way. If they think highly of Penix, then they think he is able to match or surpass Cousins in year 2 or 3. If that’s the case, then that’s great for them. They don’t mind if Cousins sits and they still have to pay him millions of dollars and way less to Penix to start. They will still be shelling out the same amount of money, no matter who sits or starts. Let’s just say it costs 150 mil for both guys. If Cousins starts and Penix sits for all for years, you spend 150 mil. If Penix starts in year 2 and is good and cousins sits in year 2, at the end of year 4, they still only paid 150 mil. Again, this only works out if Penix matches or surpasses Cousins’ play. If he doesn’t, then it’s a wasted pick, since it was a first rounder.

The move makes a ton of sense if you are an 81 year old owner and your main goal is to not see a bottom 5 team in the next decade. If your goal is to put the most competitive team on the field in the short or long term the path they chose doesnt have consistency with itself. It seems a lot more like a hedge against bottoming out than a strategic move that opens a path to a team capable of a deep playoff run.