If you ask Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt who should be more upset over the Falcons handling of their first-round pick on Thursday night, the answer might be a bit of a surprise.
The Falcons shockingly picked Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. despite having signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins a month before to a four-year, $180 million deal that included $100 million guaranteed.
A lot of the coverage following the move focused on Cousins’ lack of heads up over the move, but Klatt seemed to think Penix had a case to be the more aggrieved party under the circumstances.
Michael Penix speaks to the media at his introductory Falcons press conference on April 26, 2024. USA TODAY Sports Kirk Cousins signed a lucrative deal with the Falcons this offseason. AP“If I was Michael Penix, I would be more furious than even Kirk Cousins,” Klatt said during a Friday appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” per Awful Announcing.
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“I waited all that time. I had all those injuries. I got myself to Washington and had these two amazing years. I’m an older guy. What’s more valuable in the NFL? Being drafted in the top 10 or getting a second contract? Getting a second contract. How does Michael Penix get on the field to prove himself ready for a second contract? Now, when’s his second contract going to be? I just don’t understand.”
The draft analyst continued to suggest that if he was Penix he’d be hesitant to sign so quickly.
“I don’t know how quickly he would force the issue, but I want to play…I’m so thankful I’m in the top 10, but what in the world?” Klatt said.
Regardless of what Klatt said, Penix was plenty excited to be with the Falcons.
He was introduced to the media on Friday at the team’s practice facility and revealed that he and Cousins had talked after he was drafted.
Joel Klatt had an interesting take on the Falcons’ Michael Penix-Kirk Cousins controversy. USA TODAY SportsPenix didn’t reveal the substance of the conversation, but felt that it was very positive.
“But it was definitely a good conversation, and I’m super excited to work with him, and he said he’s the same with me,” he said.
