Falcons GM Terry Fontenot connected failure to land Patrick Mahomes as a reason Atlanta targeted Michael Penix Jr., per report

Like the rest of the Falcons staff, Atlanta Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot fell in love with Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. when they saw him throw in Seattle . It was then that Fontenot connected the New Orleans Saints' failure to land Patrick Mahomes as enough of a reason to keep their interest under wraps, per a report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

Breer outlined in his MMQB article and on the Pat McAfee show how the Chiefs jumping the Saints in 2017 made it clear to Fontenot that nobody could know about their interest in Penix. Having a trade-down candidate like the Tennessee Titans, who weren't in the quarterback market, picking right before them didn't help matters.

Having the rest of the league believe that the Falcons were not in the quarterback market was risky and has made for the most awkward quarterback room since the Green Bay Packers selected Jordan Love as the successor to Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers risked a possible Super Bowl window in 2019 for stability at the position, the Falcons aren't necessarily in the same boat. If Atlanta is contending for a Lombardi trophy, this first year would already be considered a success.

Fontenot is taking a large bet on the fact that the Falcons roster as currently constructed can take their weaker schedule and make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.