The Atlanta Falcons have made a change at quarterback.
Due to Kirk Cousins’ recent struggles, the team will turn to rookie Michael Penix Jr.
The writing had been on the wall recently.
In his last five games, Cousins, in the first year of a four-year, $180 million contract, has just one touchdown pass and nine interceptions.
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Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich Story/Getty Images)
When the Falcons selected Penix with the eighth pick, it sent shockwaves throughout the league, considering it had only been a few weeks since they had signed Cousins to his contract. However, the Falcons need a boost and apparently think that’s it.
“After review, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons moving forward,” head coach Raheem Morris said in a statement. “This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
Penix threw for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his final season with Washington, whose only loss that season was in the national championship game against Michigan.
Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Kirk Cousins (18) and Michael Penix Jr. (9) during offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training complex on May 14, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Georgia . (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Cousins, who turned 36 during training camp, tore his Achilles tendon last year, his final season in Minnesota.
In his 13th NFL season, Cousins started slow, throwing for 864 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions in his first four games. In his next five, he had 13 touchdowns and three picks while averaging 292.8 passing yards per game. But his last five have been forgettable.
In that span, he completed 62.7% of his passes and his only touchdown came Monday in a 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on December 8, 2024. (Jeffrey Becker/Image Images)
Atlanta lost each of its previous four to lose its division lead.
