Football

Arthur Blank: Kirk Cousins is Falcons' 'franchise' QB, Michael Penix 'extraordinary skill'

.The Atlanta ga Falcons possessed quite perhaps the boldest offseason in the NFL, signing quarterback as well as four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million bargain ($ 100 million assured) as well as likewise composing Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. along with the No. 8 choice in the 2024 NFL Draft.Team proprietor Arthur Empty helped make the situation for why the Falcons, whom he identified "individual thinkers," were actually wise to allot considerable sources to a pair of quarterbacks." Our team created it very clear to Kirk and also others that our company most likely were mosting likely to compose a quarterback during this draught. As it appeared, Michael Penix, for our coaching staff as well as our workers department, classed amazingly high. They saw him as a tremendous player," Blank said to The Atlanta georgia Journal-Constitution on Tuesday. "Our company have actually been actually via a scenario, post-Matt Ryan, when our experts are actually seeing that movie when our team failed to possess a franchise business quarterback. Our experts failed to want to redo that again. I indicate, I surely failed to. I am actually very conscious all types of progression preparing. After 60-odd years of organization, in any type of organization, that's essential. At the crucial position, the quarterback setting in the NFL, that is actually really significant. " So, just listening closely to our mentoring workers and also our workers division, they actually made the decision. Michael was going to be accessible at variety 8. They viewed an amazing talent. Kirk Cousins is our franchise quarterback, is our beginning quarterback, as well as he appears to become performing wonderful coming from a clinical viewpoint." Cousins, who will be 36 at the beginning of the 2024 time, had his 2023 initiative shortened after 8 games due to a torn Achilles. He devoted the previous 6 times of his occupation with the Minnesota Vikings, which was actually preceded by 6 periods in Washington, with him being the permanent starter the final three years (2015-17). Prior to the Achilles tear, Relatives totaled 2,331 passing backyards, 18 passing goals, five interceptions as well as a 103.8 passer rating, while completing 69.5% of his passes.Meanwhile, Penix ended up second in 2023 Heisman Trophy voting, a year after completing 8th. Over his 2 seasons in Washington (2022-23), Penix balanced 4,772 passing backyards, 33.5 passing goals, 9.5 interceptions as well as a 154.2 passer score per time, while completing 65.4% of his passes.The Huskies went a bundled 25-3 with Penix under center, highlighted through achieving final time's College Regulation football Playoff Championship game game.Atlanta is actually coming off a third successive 7-10 period, which led to head instructor Arthur Johnson's termination in favor of former Los Angeles Rams defensive planner and also former Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris. In addition, the Falcons have not created the playoffs or even possessed a succeeding document given that 2017. Eagles under 10.5 wins, Cowboys, Falcons over highlight Danny Parkins' win total wagers Atlanta ga has actually begun three quarterbacks over recent pair of years, which followed trading the professional and four-time Pro Bowler Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022: Desmond Ridder, Marcus Mariota and also Taylor Heinicke." We really hope as well as wish he's [Cousins] received 3 to 4 great years facing him, maybe beyond that. Who recognizes? Yet our team also know that at some point, there will certainly be actually a point that we'll require a transition," Blank mentioned concerning Atlanta georgia's future at quarterback. "We would like to be sure our team do that smoothly." Empty referenced the Environment-friendly Bay Packers, that traded approximately decide on quarterback Jordan Love in the 2020 NFL Draught and also sat him behind Aaron Rodgers for 3 seasons, as a prospective design for the Falcons Love aided the Packers get to the NFC divisional round in his first full season under facility (2023) and earned a four-year, $220 thousand expansion coming from Veggie Bay last week. [Want terrific tales supplied right to your inbox? Generate or log in to your FOX Sports account, observe games, crews as well as players to receive a tailored bulletin daily.] Observe Observe your favorites to individualize your FOX Athletics knowledge Atlanta georgia Falcons Michael Penix Jr. Kirk Cousins Get even more from National Football Organization Follow your preferences to receive relevant information regarding video games, headlines as well as additional.