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Cam Newton sends warning to Falcons’ Kirk Cousins after Michael Penix Jr. pick

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Ben Strauss | Last updated 5/2/24

The Atlanta Falcons were the talk of the 2024 NFL Draft. Atlanta shocked the world when they took QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick, despite signing Kirk Cousins to a hefty four-year contract just one month before. Former Panthers QB Cam Newton shared his thoughts on the situation, and a message for Kirk Cousins, in a recent podcast appearance.

Newton spoke on a 4th & 1 Podcast episode dedicated to the topic of the Penix Jr. selection.

“It wasn’t just no first round pick we’re talking about, it was a Top 10 pick that we’re talking about, therefore sooner or later we got to figure out to see if he could play or not,” Newton said. “Now, Kirk Cousins signed a 4 year deal correct, let me show you how goofy even more it is. Out of those four years with the notion and mentality to think to say hey we got to see what Michael Penix can do we drafted guy high, to see what he can do out of those four years, do you think he’s really going to play out those four years without somebody giving an opportunity to Michael Penix? I will say hell no”

Newton believes that Cousins doesn’t have long to prove himself, especially if Penix turns out to be as good as they expect. Top 10 picks are usually forced into action one way or another.

“So I’ll cut that four into two, for Kirk Cousins to prove himself in those two years, really one, hell, i’ll give you six games real s—t. Which makes it even more goofy because now you got two years to prove yourself. Now you split that guaranteed money, you giving one person $50 million a year.”

Was Michael Penix Jr. the right pick for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Apr 26, 2024; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons first round draft pick quarterback Michael Penix Jr talks to the media at a press conference introducing him at the Falcons training complex. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

If you ask Cam Newton, the answer is a definitive no.

Newton is correct to point out that any player drafted in the top 10, especially a QB, is going to have to play in the NFL during his rookie contract. NFL teams simply don’t flush prime draft capital as an insurance policy, even at the quarterback position.

That suggests that Michael Penix Jr. may be the Falcons’ starting QB sooner rather than later. If this is true, it calls into question the logic behind paying Kirk Cousins a four-year $180 million contract that includes $100 million guaranteed.

One might argue that the Cousins signing gave the Falcons a guaranteed QB upgrade before the draft and installed a mentor for a possible rookie. On the other hand, all of the money that the Falcons handed to Kirk Cousins could have been spent on other positions, particularly on defense. Or, if the Falcons passed on Penix Jr., they could have spent the eighth overall pick on the defensive player of their choosing in the draft.

It should also be said that Kirk Cousins is an aging quarterback who is recovering from a major injury. He is no slam dunk to be available for Week 1, nor to return to the same player he was in Minnesota at his peak.

This Kirk Cousins/Michael Penix Jr. will be one of the most fascinating QB situations to watch over the next four years.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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