Dave Portnoy brands Atlanta Falcons 'IDIOTS' for picking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 NFL Draft - weeks after signing Kirk Cousins on $180m, four-year deal

Dave Portnoy has torn into the Atlanta Falcons for drafting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180million contract.

Cousins, 35, was said to be 'a bit stunned' by the move, according to The Athletic as the Falcons selected a direct rival for his place with the eighth pick of the night. He was only informed of the move while the Falcons were on the clock on Thursday night.

Barstool Sports founder Portnoy wasted no time in slamming the organization for their decision. 

'The Falcons are not serious people,' he wrote on X. 'I like Penix by the way. I like him more than everybody except Drake Maye. 

'I just don't get what you're doing when you just signed Cousins. Are you trying to win now or not. Of course these are same idiots who passed on (Bill) Belichick.'

The Falcons picked quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the NFL Draft on Thursday night

His move to Atlanta comes weeks after the organization signed Kirk Cousins 

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy described the organization as 'idiots' 

Belichick was heavily linked with a move to Atlanta after his era at the New England Patriots came to an end after last season but the Falcons instead hired Raheem Morris as head coach.

Morris and Falcons GM Terry Fontenot were quick to come out and explain their decision on Thursday night, insisting that Penix was chosen with an eye on the future.

'Kirk Cousins is our quarterback, we're very excited about Kirk. Very excited about this team. Michael Penix is – we're talking about the future,' Fontenot said.

'When you can add a high-caliber player like that, with his intangibles, those tools, he's a winner. Very, very excited. You don't pass up that opportunity.

'If [Penix] sits for four or five years, that's a great problem to have because we're doing so well at that position.'

Comparisons have already been drawn to Aaron Rodgers having Jordan Love behind him at the Green Bay Packers - Love enjoyed an excellent season last year, his first as the No 1 choice for the franchise.