Kirk Cousins doesn't have to worry about the bench any time soon.
On Sunday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Cousins will not be benched in place of rookie Michael Penix Jr. despite his recent struggles.
“They believe he'll bounce back, they believe he's resilient,” Rapoport said of the Falcons. “They want to rally around Cousins.”
Cousins has failed to throw a touchdown pass in his last three starts, instead throwing six interceptions, nearly matching his total of seven over the past nine weeks combined.
This was the coldest result of the 36-year-old's 13-year NFL career.
This failure is not what the Falcons had in mind when they signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract that included a $50 million signing bonus from the Vikings.
In his six seasons with Minnesota, Cousins led the team to winning seasons in three of them, including two playoff appearances in 2019 and 2022.
Cousins also has more than 100 pass attempts, zero passing touchdowns, at least six interceptions and at least one in three games since Brett Favre endured a similar slide from Weeks 14 to 16 with the Packers. He is also the first player to achieve six pick-sixes. 2005.
The left-handed Penix, who was selected by Washington with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has played in the Falcons' two blowout losses this year, against the Broncos and the Seahawks.
In two games with nine collective snaps, he completed 3 of 5 pass attempts for 38 yards, including three first downs, but no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Cousins' deficiencies have caused Atlanta to drop to .500 (6-6), tied for first place in the NFC South with the Buccaneers.
