(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
After another disappointing season in 2023, the Atlanta Falcons were determined to right the ship during the NFL offseason, as the team has struggled in the post-Matt Ryan era and some drastic changes needed to be made, especially at the quarterback position with Desmond Ridder not cutting it as the starter under center.
Fortunately for Atlanta, it had a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, plus the money to make some moves in free agency, which boded well for their chances of making something substantial happen ahead of the upcoming campaign.
As a result of the determination to upgrade the quarterback position, the Falcons quickly agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on a four-year deal, which was a risky move because he’s coming off an Achilles injury but a potential game-changer as he is a massive upgrade over Ridder, who was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
Along with bringing in Cousins, the team got some insurance at the quarterback position by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, a move that came with criticism but provided depth at the most important position on the field.
Interestingly, Penix didn’t play in the Falcons’ most recent preseason game, which led Kay Adams to ask new head coach Raheem Morris why that decision was made.
“We got a different approach, and our approach works for us,” Morris said on “Up & Adams.”
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris on the decision NOT to play Michael Penix Jr. in Week 2 of the preseason…
“We got a DIFFERENT approach and our approach works for us.” @AtlantaFalcons @heykayadams @themikepenix #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/82BA3Tu2id
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 19, 2024
With Cousins in no danger of losing his starting job to the rookie, Morris potentially thought the risk of Penix getting injured in that second preseason game was unnecessary, especially as the veteran is coming off such a devastating injury from last season.
The Falcons have become a team to watch heading into the 2024 campaign, as it seems as though they have the potential to be a high-powered offense, or an absolute disaster if injuries rip through the squad.
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