Shirtless Brian Baldinger Calls Falcons Drafting QB In Online Video From Pool Two Weeks Ago

When the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, everyone was shocked. Well, everyone except Brian Baldinger.

In a resurfaced social media video from April 11, the former offensive lineman turned NFL Network analyst said he had a "premonition" that the Falcons would select a quarterback in the first round. While shirtless in a pool after his morning swim, Baldinger explained that Matt Ryan had a connection with then-head coach Mike Smith when he was drafted at No. 3 in 2008. Similarly, Baldy believed new Falcons head coach Raheem Morris would be looking for his guy at quarterback.

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"Every mock draft I've looked at: Atlanta is going defense," Baldy said two weeks ago. "I feel like the Atlanta Falcons are in the market for a quarterback. It's the year to do it."

Well, his premonition certainly turned out to be accurate. The Falcons took the former Washington Huskies signal caller despite having just signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. The move had everyone scratching their heads — including Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Shortly after the pick, footage went viral of Blank visiting the war room with Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot seemingly trying to justify the decision to draft Penix.

And maybe Fontenot was saying exactly what Brian Baldinger had been saying for weeks.

"They got Kirk Cousins there. Nobody they draft has to play right away. They've got a caretaker — maybe more than a caretaker," Baldinger explained. "But I feel like the Atlanta Falcons are shopping, and they're going to be shopping for a quarterback."

Well, kudos to Baldy. When you're right, you're right.