Analysts and fans were not sold on the Atlanta Falcons' decision to select a quarterback with their eighth pick in the first round.
The team picked 2023 Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. from the Washington Huskies.
Critics were not impressed, not because Penix Jr. is not a good player but because the team already has Kirk Cousins, whom they splashed money on to keep long-term.
So, how will their prized rookie be used?
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General manager Terry Fontenot explained their decision by stating their faith in the 23-year-old left-handed quarterback.
He felt he couldn't let the opportunity to take a quality play-caller get wasted.
What about Cousins? Fontenot said they are creating a good problem.
"If you believe in a quarterback, you have to take him," Fontenot said during a press conference.
"And if he sits for four or five years, that's a great problem to have because we're doing so well at that position. So, it's as simple as, if you see a guy you believe in at that position, you have to take him."
This means Penix can only get the main role by the time he is 28-29 years old. His supporters have to wait a little longer for him to show his true self.
The move shocked lots of fans. It can be remembered that they recently signed cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.
Cousins himself was not sold on the team's signing of Penix Jr., according to reports.
His agent said he was shocked and disappointed that he was kept in the dark about their draft plans.
"We got no heads up," the agent said.
"Kirk got a call from the Falcons when they were on the clock. That was the first we heard. It never came up in any conversation."
Looks like it's not only a good problem Fontenot and the company created.
Left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL
One thing that makes Michael Penix Jr. an exciting rookie is his unorthodox style.
Although a left-handed quarterback is rare in the NFL, he will not run out of inspiration to pattern his game from.
The Huskies standout revealed that he received a text message from Falcons legend Michael Vick, one of, if not the most successful, left-handed quarterbacks in the league's history.
He is also aware that they have some similarities.
"I'm not going to say me and his games are the same," Penix said.
"He did a lot of creating. I feel like we both throw the ball very well. ... I think people see him create plays and forget he had a cannon. He flicked the ball like it was effortless."
Vick was the Falcons' 2001 No. 1 overall draft pick. He was part of Atlanta for eight years, two years of those on suspension.
He holds the league record for most rushing yards by a quarterback at 6,109.
Penix Jr. has the makings of a great quarterback. Of course, this all depends on how much he is used.
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