The Falcons’ decision to draft a quarterback in the eighth overall pick after committing $100 million to Kirk Cousins is baffling. The primary goal should have been to win a championship with Cousins, and using a high draft pick on his replacement does not align with that objective. The confusion likely stems from the messages conveyed to Cousins during negotiations, possibly implying a pursuit of a championship together. However, selecting a quarterback contradicts this sentiment and suggests a lack of faith in Cousins’ ability to lead them to the highest level.
The Falcons’ treatment of Cousins has been compared to the Chiefs’ handling of Alex Smith. While Smith had several years to prove himself with the Chiefs before they decided to move on, Cousins has not even played a game for Atlanta yet. This signals that the Falcons have already preconceived notions about his capabilities, despite his lack of experience in the city. Drafting a quarterback like Penix instead of an immediate contributor implies that the team believes in the narrative surrounding Cousins’ career.
This move by the Falcons suggests that they buy into the existing narrative surrounding Cousins and are willing to bet on it. By drafting a quarterback who may not make an immediate impact, they risk fulfilling their own prophecy about Cousins’ limitations. Despite still being guaranteed $100 million, Cousins likely hoped for Atlanta to be his final and best opportunity at a Super Bowl. However, with this draft decision, it appears that his aspirations may have been dashed, leaving him feeling like Charlie Brown with the football being pulled away at the last moment.
In summary, the Falcons’ decision to draft a quarterback after committing $100 million to Kirk Cousins is puzzling and seems contradictory to their primary goal of winning a championship with him. It suggests that they lack faith in his ability as a leader and may have preconceived notions about his capabilities based on past experiences or narratives surrounding his career. This move risks fulfilling their own prophecy about him while also potentially damaging their relationship with him and leaving him feeling let down by their decision-making process.
