For the remainder of the season, the Atlanta Falcons will play rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. over veteran Kirk Cousins, the organization announced Tuesday.
Michael Penix will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons going forward, head coach Raheem Morris announced in a statement after careful consideration. “We are totally focused on getting the squad ready for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, and this was a football decision.
Atlanta is two games away from the last NFC wild-card place with a 7-7 record.
The Falcons have dropped four of their last five games after starting the season 6-3. Cousins has had one touchdown and nine interceptions throughout that time. He is tied for the league lead in fumbles (12) and leads the NFL in interceptions (16).
In the NFL, Cousins’ QBR of 52.7 is ranked 22nd.
This offseason, Atlanta signed 36-year-old Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with a $90 million guarantee. Cousins, a former starter in Minnesota and Washington, has appeared in four Pro Bowls.
Penix, a Washington native selected in the first round, finished his senior season with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As a senior, he topped the country in passing yards (4,903) and yards per game (326.9).
During his two Falcons games, he completed three of five passes for 38 yards.
Atlanta still has three games left in the regular season: the Carolina Panthers at home, the Washington Commanders away, and the New York Giants at home.
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