The Atlanta Falcons have changed quarterbacks.
Due to Kirk Cousins' recent poor performance, the team will use rookie Michael Penix Jr.
The writing was on the wall recently.
Cousins, who is in the first year of a four-year, $180 million contract, has only one touchdown pass and nine interceptions in his last five games.
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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. (Abundant Stories/Getty Images)
When the Falcons took Penix with the No. 8 pick, it sent shockwaves around the league, considering it had only been a few weeks since they signed Cousins. But the Falcons need reinforcements, and apparently they think this is it.
“After much consideration, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons going forward,” head coach Raheem Morris said in a statement. “This is a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing our team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.”
Penix threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his final season at Washington, but his only loss that season was to Michigan in the national championship.
Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, 18, and Michael Penix Jr., 9, during offseason training at the Atlanta Falcons training facility 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 got off to a slow start, throwing for 864 yards, four touchdowns, and four picks in his first four games. Over the next five games, he averaged 292.8 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns and three picks. But his last five games were unforgettable.
He has completed 62.7 percent of his passes in that span, and his only touchdown came in a 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagine Images)
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Atlanta lost each of its last four games and lost its division lead.
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