The Atlanta Falcons have made a substantial change on their roster, opting to bench veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and handing the starting position to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as they gear up for their pivotal Week 16 match against the New York Giants. This announcement came on Tuesday evening from head coach Raheem Morris, who cited the need for improved performance at the quarterback position as the driving factor behind the decision.
“After review, we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback moving forward,” Morris stated. “This was a football decision, and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.” This shift occurs at a time when the Falcons are vying for their first playoff berth since 2017, and as they sit at 7-7, they are just one game behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons secured a narrow victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, winning 15-9 on Monday night, but the win came amid concerns over their offensive performance. Cousins managed to complete only 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, raising more questions about the effectiveness of the offense. Cousins has struggled deeply over the last five games, throwing nine interceptions and only one touchdown, which has significantly influenced the team’s direction.
Morris had previously defended Cousins but felt compelled to make the switch after observing the team's struggle to find rhythm under the veteran's leadership. “We didn’t play particularly well at the quarterback position,” Morris remarked after the Raiders game. Despite early season success—at one point, the Falcons boasted a 6-3 record—Cousins' performance has diminished dramatically, leading the NFL with 16 total interceptions this season.
With Penix stepping up as quarterback, there are expectations for not only revitalizing the faltering offense but also for positioning the team favorably for upcoming games against the Giants, Commanders, and Panthers—a stretch the Falcons hope will guide them closer to the playoffs.
Michael Penix Jr., who was drafted as the No. 8 overall pick, has not started any games this season but has shown promise as the quarterback who led the NCAA with 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns during his final year at Washington. Although his transition to the NFL has included only limited appearances to date—completing 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards—his high ceiling made him attractive to the Falcons as they planned for the future.
The decision to bench Cousins puts his future with the Falcons at risk. Signed to a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed at the start of the season, cutting Cousins now would incur significant financial penalties, including $65 million in dead cap space. A trade could also be challenging, as it would likely necessitate the Falcons to absorb part of his salary. If the decision to start Penix does not yield the desired improvements, the team might find themselves reevaluated all their quarterback strategies.
Despite the organizational shifts taking place, both Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have expressed their long-standing belief in Penix as the future of the franchise. “If you believe in a quarterback, you have to take him,” Fontenot commented during the draft season. The picture is painted more clearly now: it’s not just about immediate results for Penix, but about laying the groundwork for the upcoming seasons.
Looking forward, the Falcons will have to tap the fruits of Penix’s collegiate success and hope he can quickly transition those skills to the professional level. The rookie's ability to connect with established playmakers like Drake London, who holds the longest active streak of touchdown receptions in consecutive primetime games, and rising star Bijan Robinson, who recently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards, will be pivotal.
All eyes will be on Sunday as Penix takes control. Questions linger about how this transition will play out and whether it can galvanize the team to finish the season positively. With three games left and the possibility of postseason contention on the line, fans and players alike await the impact of the change.
