The Atlanta Falcons have made the significant decision to name rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback, following the benching of veteran Kirk Cousins. Head coach Raheem Morris announced this change on Tuesday, stating, "After review, we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward." The announcement follows Cousins' troubling performance this season, where he led the league with 16 interceptions.
Penix, the No. 8 overall pick from the April NFL Draft, will make his debut as a starter against the New York Giants at home this coming Sunday. The Falcons, currently holding a 7-7 record, are still in contention for the playoffs, trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by just one game. The team's playoff aspirations have been dimmed by Cousins’ inconsistency, as he completed only 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown, and one interception during Monday night's game where Atlanta narrowly defeated the Las Vegas Raiders.
Earlier, Morris had been non-committal about naming Cousins as the starter, stating they had to go through their regular processes after their recent victory. "It’s always going to be those question marks when it ...
Penix, 24, had notable past performance as the starting signal-caller at the University of Washington, boasting impressive statistics with 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns last year, leading his team to the national title game. Comparatively, Cousins, who signed with the Falcons this offseason on a four-year, $180 million deal, has underperformed this season. After just 14 games with the Falcons, his numbers include 3,508 passing yards and 18 touchdowns against those league-leading interceptions. His struggles culminated during the team’s recent four-game losing streak.
Backing this decision, Morris emphasized the football rationale behind the move. "This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants," he said. With the Giants holding the league's worst record at 2-12, Penix's first start presents him with the opportunity to not only showcase his skills but also possibly revive the Falcons’ dwindling playoff hopes.
Despite the launch of his professional career looming, Penix brings with him expectations for professional success, especially after the investment the Falcons made. He only has thrown five passes all season, completing three of them for 38 yards without any touchdowns. Morris expressed optimism about the adjustment, noting there are no downsides to playing Penix, considering the considerable investment the franchise has made. This aligns with the organization’s broader strategy to establish stability at the quarterback position after years of uncertainty following Matt Ryan’s departure.
The discussion around Cousins will continue as his placement beneath the younger Penix raises questions about his future within the franchise. Should the team opt to cut ties with Cousins, they have considerable financial commitments on the horizon, with $27.5 million fully guaranteed should they release him before March 16, 2025. If they decide to keep him on the roster, another $10 million could become guaranteed, adding to their financial woes.
For now, Michael Penix Jr. must step up, manage the expectations, and perform under the pressure of both his starting debut and the playoff chase. Against the Giants and with remaining games against the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers, Penix's performance may dictate not only the team’s season outcome but also his place at the helm of the franchise moving forward.
While Cousins’ struggles have led to this pivotal change, the Falcons are betting on Penix’s potential to energize the team and position them for success, making every play count as they push toward the playoffs.
