The Atlanta Falcons have made a change at quarterback.
Because of Kirk cousins‘ recent issues, the team will go with rookie Michael Penix Jr.
The writing was on the wall recently.
In his last five games, Cousins, in the first year of a four-year, $180 million deal, 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 took Penix with the eighth pick, it sent shockwaves around the league considering it was just weeks after they signed Cousins to his deal. However, the Falcons need a boost, and apparently they think this is it.
“After review, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons,” 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 last season at Washington, whose only loss that season came in the national championship against Michigan.
Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins (18) and Michael Penix Jr. (9) of the Atlanta Falcons during offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training complex, May 14, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Cousins, who turned 36 during training camp, ruptured 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 picks 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 were forgettable.
In that span, he has completed 62.7% of his passes, and his lone 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, December 8, 2024. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagn Images)
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Atlanta lost each of the previous four and lost its division lead.
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