Kirk Cousins ​​may already be hearing Michael Penix Jr.'s footsteps with the Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons shocked the world during the 2024 NFL Draft by using the eighth overall pick on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Not shocking because it was a bad pick, but because they just gave Kirk Cousins ​​a four-year, $180 million-a-month contract before. The Falcons said they made this pick to ensure their quarterback situation was secure for the foreseeable future, given the changes they had following the departure of Matt Ryan.

The Falcons are currently 4-3 this season and in first place in the NFC South. Regardless of how this season goes, will the Falcons make a quick move from Cousins ​​to Penix?

In a recent column with Dan Graziano, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler answered the question of which quarterback could be a surprise addition to the quarterback market next offseason. Fowler says Cousins ​​could be a surprising name to hit the market.

“If we move beyond the expected candidates and head straight to the surprise list, I'll start with Atlanta's Kirk Cousins ​​as a trade candidate. To be clear: There is.” Nothing move here. The Falcons appear perfectly happy with Cousins, who is third in the NFL with 1,830 passing yards. But we can use the information given to us and make informed assumptions. When I asked people around the league if they expected the Falcons to show restraint and sit out Michael Penix Jr. for several years, the majority said they wouldn't.

“The logic is simple: first-rounders play and play early, with a few exceptions. Maybe the Falcons can emulate the Packers' style of quarterbacking and at least play Cousins ​​through his two-year guarantee at $90 million, which would be smart.” But that leads me to what coach Raheem Morris told me this offseason: ” When do you move on to a new quarterback if he can't win.” So as the current quarterback, it could play a role in how Atlanta finishes the season.

Of course, the strategy teams are trying to copy is the one pioneered by the Green Bay Packers. This is what they did when they drafted Aaron Rodgers in 2005 and had him sit behind Brett Favre for a few years before taking over in 2008. Then the Packers drafted Jordan Love in 2020 to sit behind Rodgers and then take over in 2023. This strategy led to great success and long-term stability at quarterback.

However, as Fowler notes, there is much more urgency to draft a quarterback early in the first round. We've seen Jayden Daniels look like an instant star for the Washington Commanders through seven games. Caleb Williams got off to a rough start before turning things around and helping lead the Bears to a 4-2 record. But then there are the negatives, like Bryce Young struggling right away for the Carolina Panthers and ultimately being benched two games into the season.

Cousins ​​has played relatively well so far this season. In seven games, Cousins ​​has thrown for 1,830 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 66.9 completion percentage. But if Cousins ​​struggles at any point this season, the pressure from fans will be intense, especially if it costs the team wins.

So the Falcons are a team to watch this season in terms of the quarterback market next offseason.