Once the Falcons selected Michael Penix eighth overall during April’s draft, questions were raised about the possibility he would take over from free agent addition Kirk Cousins earlier than the team anticipated. That has proven to be the case over the closing weeks of the campaign. 
Cousins has struggled mightily in recent weeks, throwing one touchdown and nine interceptions over the past five contests. The Falcons are still in contention for a postseason berth at 7-7, but Penix will get the nod for Week 16 against the Giants. Benching Cousins this early into his Atlanta tenure comes as a surprise given the team’s financial investment made this spring, something head coach Raheem Morris conceded when addressing the decision.
“We were playing extremely well,” Morris said, via Amos Morale III and Josh Kendall of The Athletic (subscription required). “So I’d be telling you a story if I didn’t tell you I was surprised right now how the last couple of weeks have gone and how we haven’t been able to turn around and play a little bit better at the position in order to keep things going how we had.”
Cousins had a relatively strong start to the year, and the Falcons appeared to be on track to win the NFC South with a 6-3 record after Week 9. A four-game losing streak followed, however, and Monday’s narrow win over the Raiders did not quell concerns about the team’s direction late in the year. Now, Penix will be tasked with stabilizing the QB position down the stretch as the Falcons weigh their future with Cousins.
The 36-year-old was the top quarterback on the market this past spring despite his Vikings tenure ending with a torn Achilles. Cousins landed a four-year, $160MM pact in free agency to head to Atlanta, a deal which appeared to offer a short-term solution under center. To his surprise (and that of many other observers), the Falcons followed that deal by using their top selection on Penix and thus adding an eventual Cousins successor. Owner Arthur Blank had a role in the Penix choice, and Morris added he was also “involved” in the decision to insert Penix into the lineup.
“I would agree with [Morris], it probably ultimately was the turnovers,” Cousins said when reflecting on his benching (via the team’s website). “That’s such a key thing in winning and losing in the NFL.”
Cousins added he “didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” but for at least the time being he is not in position to operate as Atlanta’s starter. The first two seasons of his deal include fully guaranteed salaries, so the four-time Pro Bowler should remain in Atlanta for 2025 at a minimum. Given the decision to turn to Penix already, though, it remains to be seen what role Cousins will have for that year.
$90 for 15 games. Kirk could be a BU, but would prefer to retire as a starter & head into media! Good for the man.
Man I hate how this shakes out. Is Kirk really gone after this year?
If Penix starts and is at least acceptable by the time that the year finishes, I don’t see how they couldn’t keep him the starter. Cousins isn’t going to stay to be a backup, and the Falcons wouldn’t keep him as such, especially on that contract. Cousins must have something wrong with him-no matter what we think of him, there are worse quarterbacks who we would be surprised to see just fall straight off a cliff like he has. Cousins, as always, has handled this well and with understanding, but you have to wonder if that will extend to going the Rodgers route and accepting a pay cut. If he does, perhaps Atlanta can work out a trade.
If Penix starts and is just horrible, but the Bucs are unable to really separate from Atlanta, then Cousins’ benching could be temporary. Even if that doesn’t happen, the only way that I see Cousins coming back is if Penix just looks completely unready in his starts. Honestly, I don’t think that Cousins saw a future in Atlanta, despite that contract, when Penix was drafted. The last few weeks probably solidified that.
I agree. Writing was on wall the second front office selected Penix
He’ll be the NFL’s most expensive backup next year unless Pennix fails. Cutting him would incur more dead cap than it’s worth, and no team is going to trade with that contract in place.
Yeah, the only two ways forward that I see where Cousins starts are if Penix is completely inept, or of Cousins takes a pay cut to enable a trade. Atlanta already has set a cap record in recent years with a quarterback release; if it really came down, Blank might do so again.
I mean, we don’t see Kirk retiring, do we?
I thought he has a no trade clause in the deal. Kirk can any trade if he doesn’t like it.