Falcons name rookie Michael Penix Jr. starting QB over Kirk Cousins

On December 18, 2024By Littum

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was not ready to commit to a starting quarterback at his press conference Tuesday afternoon.

It didn’t take him long to make a decision. Hours later, the Falcons announced that rookie Michael Penix Jr. will take over as starting quarterback for Kirk Cousins. As no. 8 in April’s NFL Draft, Penix will make his debut as an NFL starter on Sunday against the Giants (2-12) in Atlanta.

“After review, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward,” Morris said. via a statement released by the Falcons. “This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”

Earlier Tuesday, Morris had this to say when asked if Cousins would start at Sunday:

“We just got back, man,” Morris said via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “We still have to go through the whole process like we always do. Obviously coming back late last night and getting a big win.”

That was less than 24 hours after a tepid offensive performance in a close win over a two-win Raiders team. But Morris hinted at his impending decision.

“There’s always going to be those question marks when it comes to head coaching, when it comes to the quarterback,” Morris continued. according to the Falcons’ team website. “And you have to be really transparent about it. We have to play better.”

The Falcons have decided to bench Kirk Cousins with three games left in the regular season. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Penix takes over with the Falcons, who are struggling to make the playoffs at 7-7. They are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but have a chance to rally for a postseason berth with games remaining against the Giants, Commanders and Panthers.

Until Tuesday, Morris remained steadfast in his support of Cousins.

“Kirk is our quarterback,” Morris said on Dec. 9 after a Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. “Kirk is the guy who’s going to lead us.”

Cousins threw two interceptions and no touchdowns in the 42–21 road loss to his former team. The loss to the Vikings snapped Atlanta’s four-game losing streak that put them out of the NFC playoff picture.

Then came Monday night’s game. The Falcons held on for a 15-9 win, but failed to secure the victory over a Raiders team with the worst record in the NFL until the final snap of the game. Atlanta’s offense scored just one touchdown despite starting most of its drives in prime field position on a night when the Falcons’ defense forced a fumble near midfield and their special teams blocked two punts.

Cousins was inaccurate on several throws downfield and struggled with mobility limitations that have plagued him since suffering a torn Achilles tendon last season. He finished the night completing 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Barring an unexpected return to the field, Cousins finishes his first season with the Falcons completing 66.9% of his passes for 7.7 yards per carry. attempts and 250.6 yards per game with 18 touchdowns and an NFL-worst 16 interceptions through 14 games.

He joined the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million deal this offseason after playing six seasons with the Vikings. Two months after signing Cousins to that deal, Atlanta made a surprising decision to draft Penix eighth overall in April. Now the Falcons will get a chance to see if their highly drafted rookie will pay off.

Penix has limited reps in relief work and has completed 3 of 5 passes in two NFL appearances. He led one of college football’s most potent offensive attacks in Washington and will now have a chance to show how his talent translates to the NFL with the postseason on the line.