Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees opens up about the Atlanta Falcons' surprise selection of Michael Penix Jr. and shares his own experience with a potential successor being drafted in the NFL Draft.
When the Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, many were shocked. The Falcons had just signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $160 million contract, making the decision to draft another quarterback seem puzzling.
However, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who was in a similar situation when the Saints selected Patrick Mahomes with the 11th overall pick in 2017, understands the Falcons' decision.
"I wouldn't have taken offense to it," Brees said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "The organization has to do what it has to do. They have to prepare for the future."
Brees was well aware of Payton's interest in Mahomes and was present in the war room when the Saints selected Lattimore instead. Brees believes the Falcons made a similar decision by drafting Penix, who they believe could be their long-term starter after Cousins.
"Kirk Cousins is 36 years old. He's coming off an Achilles tear. They believe Penix could be their guy after Cousins, and they made the move to nab him," Brees said.
While some might question the timing of the Falcons' decision, Brees believes it's important for teams to think about the future, even if it means bringing in a potential successor to the starting quarterback.
"Sure, it was earlier than many expected Penix to go, but when you believe in a player, especially at the most important position in the sport, you don't take the risk he'll be available later," Brees said.
Brees also believes that Cousins will handle the situation professionally, just as he did when the Saints drafted Mahomes.
"Worry about the things you can control," Brees said. "They got a talented roster – Drake London, Bijan Robinson. I think they're going to be explosive."
Cousins has stated that he has "no beef" with the Falcons for drafting Penix, and Brees believes that he will have the same mindset as he joins an Atlanta team with playoff aspirations.
"Cousins is certainly in the position where he's thinking to himself, 'Hey, I'm the starter here for three, four years. Then, I'll help develop this guy, and they're either going to have to trade him or he's going to replace me,'" Brees said.
Ultimately, Brees believes that both the Falcons and Cousins will benefit from the decision to draft Penix, even if it doesn't sit well with everyone in the short term.
"The only thing Cousins can do now is what I did in 2017, knowing his head coach was thinking about a potential successor," Brees said. "He led his team to an NFC South victory with an 11-5 record, 4,334 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes."
