The Athletic put together a list of teams that could have a new quarterback in the 2025 season. The Atlanta Falcons’ inclusion was surprising on a number of levels when you consider that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is still under contract with a dead cap hit that makes a move impossible . While the Falcons were included on the roster, it was quickly pointed out and made clear that it would be surprising to see Atlanta turn to Michael Penix Jr. next season.
Atlanta was included in the discussion while it was pointed out what was clearly the problem with the move. The Falcons spent a top-10 pick on a player who doesn’t have a path to the lineup for at least two years. A top-10 pick isn’t worth a backup quarterback and that’s exactly what the Falcons spent on the pick. If Penix proves to be a franchise quarterback and long-term answer, the point will stand. The Falcons simply prevented two years of potential contention by spending money on Cousins rather than building around Penix.
It doesn’t matter how Kirk Cousins plays or finishes the season with Atlanta based on the contract he starts in 2025. Atlanta’s decision-making process still doesn’t make sense. If the team wanted a bridge to Penix, there were more affordable and more than capable options.
This is not a snapshot of Cousins who was great for the Falcons but instead points to the fact of spending their top picks and the majority of their cap space at the same position. Atlanta has put themselves in a position to constantly question and every mistake Cousins makes is the reason they turn into a young quarterback.
Unless Kirk Cousins goes to a magical Super Bowl, an offseason for the Falcons is clear. It will be full of pointless speculation about the quarterback position when the answer is already in front of them. This is what the Falcons did by not putting their full trust in any of the players.
Trying to build for the future and win now is a strategy that only leads to frustration. No matter how Penix plays when he finally gets the chance, there will be reason to challenge how Atlanta handles the situation. The only solution is to make a deep surprise playoff run that takes the pressure off this year’s struggling rookie class and the questions of what this team could be if Atlanta sticks to one path.
