The Atlanta Falcons have taken first place in a race for the NFC South that will go down to the wire in the final two weeks of the regular season.
However, the quarterback who helped beat the New York Giants on Sunday was not Kirk Cousins, the $180 million man they signed to a four-year contract this offseason.
It was Michael Penix Jr., the rookie first-round pick. Many were surprised when the Falcons called his name because they had just signed the veteran Cousins a month ago.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks during a news conference after a 42-21 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Cousins’ play, however, had been slipping lately, and one NFL Hall of Famer was blunt with his evaluation of him this year after Penix looked good in his first NFL start.
“Consistently mediocre. That’s what Kirk has been this year,” said Giants great Michael Strahan, via the Daily Mail. “As long as you’re a great player in your mind, you stay that way. But sometimes, your level skill decreases and falls.
“You don’t know when it’s going to happen, it can happen at any time during the season. I think for Kirk Cousins, it happened now.”
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The Falcons were 7-7 under Cousins, but head coach Raheem Morris made a change after Atlanta’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders saw more maligned offenses like those of recent weeks with Cousins under the center.
But the 36-year-old, coming off a torn Achilles tendon in the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings, was part of four straight losses before that 15-9 victory over the Raiders. In that span, Cousins did not throw a single touchdown and had eight interceptions.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. runs the ball against the New York Giants in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
So, after throwing just one touchdown and one more interception, Morris made the switch even though the Falcons were in such a tight playoff race.
Penix’s debut saw no touchdown passes, but he was quick in his decision making and timely with the ball to his receivers while throwing for 202 yards on 18 of 27 through the air. He also had an interception on his stat sheet, although tight end Kyle Pitts juggled a pass near the goal line that was ultimately intercepted.
With Penix taking the reins moving forward, Strahan believes Cousins should play the role of mentor.
“Keep him around, let him teach Michael Penix the intricacies of the game,” Strahan said. “It’s nice to have that veteran influence, but I think Kirk is going to have to humble himself to understand that that’s his role right now.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins walks off the field after throwing an interception against the Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
There have been reports that the Falcons could cut Cousins before March to avoid the remaining years of his contract, although they guaranteed themselves $100 million upon signing earlier this year.
