Falcons benching Kirk Cousins, will start Michael Penix Jr. in response to 36-year-old’s poor play
The Atlanta Falcons have made a significant change at the quarterback position, opting to bench veteran Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. This decision comes after Cousins struggled in his recent performances, throwing just one touchdown pass and nine interceptions in his last five games.
The move to start Penix Jr. raised eyebrows across the league, especially since the Falcons had recently signed Cousins to a lucrative four-year, $180 million deal. However, the team felt the need for a change to spark their offense and believes that Penix Jr. is the answer.
Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed the decision, stating, “After review, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback moving forward. This was a football decision, and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
Penix Jr. comes to the Falcons with an impressive college resume, having thrown for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his final season with Washington. He led his team to the national championship game, where they suffered their only loss to Michigan.
On the other hand, Cousins, who recently turned 36, has had a rocky start to the season, throwing for 864 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions in his first four games. While he showed improvement in the following five games, his last five outings have been disappointing, with just one touchdown and a completion rate of 62.7%.
The Falcons hope that the change at quarterback will provide a much-needed boost to the team, as they have lost their last four games and relinquished their division lead. Penix Jr. will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and lead the Falcons to victory in their upcoming matchup against the New York Giants.
It remains to be seen how the rookie quarterback will perform under the pressure of leading an NFL team, but the Falcons are optimistic about his potential. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Penix Jr. can live up to the expectations and help turn the team’s season around.
