Pro Football Focus is known for its analytical breakdowns of NFL teams and players, but one PFF hot take during the NFL Draft Thursday night got heavily mocked for its apparent lack of football knowledge.
The Atlanta Falcons stunned many observers when they drafted Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 overall. Penix is a possible future star, but the Falcons invested heavily (four years, $180 million) in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason.
The Falcons had been widely expected to select Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner, and even if they had picked another player, no one expected that player to be Penix. NFL analysts on ESPN, ABC and the Pat McAfee Show simulcast all expressed surprise.
PFF soon tweeted a photo of the Falcons logo, along with photos of Cousins and Penix, with the question, “Who’s stopping this Falcons QB duo?!”
Who's stopping this Falcons QB duo?! 👀 pic.twitter.com/4LeWBW1E4S
— PFF (@PFF) April 26, 2024
The reaction on X/Twitter came swiftly and mercilessly. Analyst/oddsmaker Todd Fuhrman asked, “Is this a real tweet? Can you now play 2 and we never got the memo?”
Is this a real tweet?
Can you now play 2 and we never got the memo? https://t.co/xaXfm7q28u
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) April 26, 2024
It was, in fact, a real tweet. It is possible, although unlikely, that the tweet was sent out with a snarky undertone that slipped by many fans. Yet others thought it more likely the tweet was sent out by an intern who knows nothing about football. Some suggested it might even be AI-generated.
I think PFF is finally becoming self aware https://t.co/K6d7YlHI20
— Brad Denny (@BDenny29) April 26, 2024
Who knows how this two-headed quarterback deal will work out for the Falcons in the long run, but for now, that was the most surprising pick of the draft thus far, and PFF followed up with the draft’s worst hot take.
Pretty sure you only get to play one QB at a time… so maybe the rules will stop them, just a thought https://t.co/lZNaPIt0D4
— Cris Wallace (@criswallace19) April 26, 2024
Did I fall asleep for 20 years and the NFL now has two quarterbacks who play at the same time?
— Gamblin Dogs (@jojopiff) April 26, 2024
Was not aware of any strategic advantages to starting multiple quarterbacks https://t.co/LDtITLAz1M
— Thursday Williams (@therealterd99) April 26, 2024
PFF doesn’t know the game of football? https://t.co/VdBB4cZpJn
— mario ⚡️ (@Detaiiil) April 26, 2024
[PFF; Photo Credit: PFF via X/Twitter]
