Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame recognized two of the best and two of the more questionable off-seasons from 2024, according to him. Verderame highlights the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers off-seasons for different reasons. Pittsburgh was highlighted based on their treatment of the quarterback position, having the wherewithal to get off their quarterback from the 2022 NFL draft, Kenny Pickett, and how they threw two darts in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields that just so happen to be cost-effective (They account for a combined $4.4 million against the cap). With the Atlanta Falcons spending the money they did for Kirk and then spending top-ten draft capital on Michael Penix, Jr., Verderame had more questions than answers:
Things started out really well for general manager Terry Fontenot this winter. He signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. Despite Cousins coming off a torn Achilles and 36 years old, it was more than defensible...Signing Cousins was a smart gamble. Worst-case, he doesn’t fully recover and he’s out after two years. Best-case, he snaps back to form and the Falcons have a high-end bridge for at least three and maybe four years.
Then the draft happened.
Atlanta, a team with the No. 8 pick and a massive need at edge rusher, was staring at Alabama’s Dallas Turner. It was the perfect scenario. The card was turned in...
We all know what happens from there.
It's true. The Falcons are taking a large bet on Cousins being ready after an Achilles injury. Yes, Atlanta took a quarterback in the top ten with other holes on the roster. These all happened, and Atlanta will have to answer for them if it doesn't work.
In that same vein, what if it does? What if Atlanta can sustain a decade-plus of above-average to good quarterback play? Will it be worth the bet on Penix, then?
One of the main concerns, which is extremely valid, is the lack of advantage Penix's rookie contract will give Atlanta:
Part of the reason it’s worthwhile to take a quarterback in the first round is the massive, overwhelming financial advantage you gain by having the most expensive position on a cheap contract.
Even if the Falcons love Penix and move off Cousins after two seasons, his contract lords over them for three years. This means Atlanta doesn’t get any financial benefit at all with Penix … until he’s due for an extension.
Truly stunning work.
There's no denying this.
Losing the advantage of the rookie quarterback contract really stinks, but if Penix hits the ground running, he plays up to the investment in the quarterback room.
That said, that's a massive bet that you're taking on this playing out perfectly. The margin of error here is essentially zero, so there is plenty to question, but if it plays out as the Falcons believe, Atlanta has stability at the most important position in football for years to come.