Falcons have perfect cover to give Michael Penix Jr. a tryout to start the season

There are a lot of things I don’t understand. One thing I don’t understand right now is the Falcons’ decision to not play quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the second or third game of the 2024 preseason.

That’s fitting, because I also didn’t understand why the team decided to select Penix eighth overall in the draft.

Let’s assume they had a good reason not to let Penix go through the process of preparing for and playing in two games. If, as we’ve been led to believe, Kirk Cousins ​​will start and Michael Penix Jr. will serve as the backup, why not let Penix play in the preseason?

As Simms and I discussed the situation this morning, PFT-livean idea that formed in my dizziness-plagued brain.

Normally, it’s impossible to play a first-round rookie and then bench him if/when he struggles. It’s very difficult to bench the young player without undermining his confidence. In Atlanta, however, the Falcons could decide that Cousins ​​needs some more time to recover from his torn Achilles and that Penix will play while Cousins ​​completes his climb back to 100 percent.

This would allow them to start the season with Penix. If/when he struggles, Cousins ​​would suddenly be good to go. If Penix plays well, the Falcons can keep him playing.

It’s a perfect cover to give Penix a trial period. And it’s a possible explanation for not playing him in the second or third preseason game.