Atlanta Falcons legend Michael Vick helps his former membership making quarterback Michael Penix Jr. the eighth decide of the 2024 NFL Draft regardless that Atlanta signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M assured in free company.
“I feel it’s the proper transfer for the long run,” Vick lately instructed Ryan Morik of Fox Information Digital. “It’s not a rush to get Michael Penix out on the sphere. Sooner or later, he’ll be prepared. However proper now, you bought a great quarterback in Kirk Cousins who can transfer the chains and offer you an opportunity to win each Sunday, Monday and Thursday. I feel that’s all you’ll be able to ask for. However it was very strategic by the Falcons and really sensible.”
Buying Cousins, who turns 36 years previous in August, was a “win-now” transfer for any workforce, which is why many analysts have been surprised when the Falcons did not use the No. 8 alternative of this 12 months’s draft to construct across the four-time Professional Bowl choice who’s coming off a torn proper Achilles he suffered in October. By all accounts, Cousins has dealt with what might have been a clumsy state of affairs like a real skilled en path to profitable over his new teammates.
As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons because the betting favorites at -115 odds to win the NFC South division title for the 2024 season. One can solely surprise what these odds would’ve been forward of summer time had Atlanta spent the Penix decide on an offensive play-maker or a pass-rusher.
“To have the ability to get to know Michael Penix, he’s tremendous cool,” Vick mentioned concerning the fellow southpaw. “Us having that lefty connection may be very cool. We’ve simply talked about what’s to return, learn how to be ready. That’s a very powerful factor for him, proper now, studying learn how to be the final word teammate and consummate professional.”
Some have speculated that Penix might change Cousins atop Atlanta’s depth chart as quickly as subsequent offseason, because the rookie will flip 25 years previous in Might 2025 and will wish to play sooner somewhat than later. Then once more, Penix’s providers could also be wanted as quickly as this September if Cousins experiences any kind of setback as he prepares to begin the Falcons’ Week 1 recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers.