Kirk Cousins Don’t see it as a short-term move. The quarterback said he signed with him. Atlanta Falcons March 11 not only because of the $100 million guaranteed over four years, but because it was where he wanted to retire.
His wife, Julie, is from Georgia, and her family, who live in the area, are die-hard Falcons fans.
But when Atlanta surprisingly drafted Michael Pennix Jr. With the No. 8 overall draft pick on April 25, it raised questions about Cousins’ future.
After Tuesday, that future has come sooner than expected.
The Falcons named Panicks the starter a day after Cousins added 16 to his league-leading interception total. The Falcons Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Sunday to snap a four-game skid, but it was hardly the kind of performance that silenced growing speculation that a quarterback change was imminent. Cousins was 11 of 17 for 112 yards with a TD and a pick. His 9.0 QBR in Week 15 was second-lowest in the league, better than 3.6 bye. Cleveland Browns Q.B James Winston (Bench also on Tuesday)
In comes Penix, the former Washington star who has a phenomenal arm and had a 91.3 QBR last year on deep routes at the college level.
Cousins, the Penks and the Falcons, who have a 29 percent chance to make the playoffs, face five major questions, according to FPI.
Why move now?
Mark Raimondi: Falcons coach Rahim Morris said in the preseason that the time to bench a quarterback is when they can’t win any more games. During Atlanta’s 6-3 start, Cousins was fourth in passing yards (2,328) and fourth in passing touchdowns with 17. He was one of eight players with multiple games of four passing touchdowns this season.
Then the wheels came off.
From Weeks 10-14, Cousins became the first player since Brett Favre in 2005 to throw at least eight interceptions without a passing touchdown in a four-game span.
On Sunday, it was clear the coaching staff didn’t trust him. For the first time in his career, Cousins did not throw a pass on first down in the first half and had just 17 total pass attempts.
What does the rest of the Falcons’ schedule look like and what are their playoff chances?
Raimondi: The Penix will start their first regular season against 2-12. New York Giants Sunday at home (1 p.m. ET, Fox). The Falcons are 8-point favorites.
Next, a visit to the Falcons Washington Commanders Diverted to “Sunday Night Football” for one game.
Finish at home against Atlanta Carolina Panthers. They are three winnable games and two the Falcons must win. So, maybe Penix saves the season. If not, he still gets much-needed reps in 2025.
What will be the reaction in the locker room?
Raimondi: Smooth. If Cousins remained the starter, his teammates would fight for him. He will now ride with Penix, who has been supportive and a class act since his arrival.
Penix was safely locked away. Jesse Bates IIIwhich was no accident. Betts is one of the team’s leaders and one of the most respected players in the NFL. He has helped take Penix under his wing and encouraged him when the team needed him.
How did Penix look in the preseason and how can he spark the offense?
Raimondi: Penix played one game, going 9-of-16 for 104 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Miami Dolphins. The Falcons did not play him in their other two preseason games with Morris saying they had seen enough of him.
During training camp, Penix was inconsistent at times, which is not surprising for a rookie. But he also made some throws that make sense why the Falcons were so high on him that they took him at No. 8. The arm’s prowess is undeniable.
Cousins hasn’t been able to throw the deep ball and seems to have lost momentum.
What does this mean for Cousins’ future in Atlanta?
Jeremy Fowler: It is effectively over. It’s hard to see a scenario in which the team turns to Cousins in 2025. The Falcons clarified in their statement that Penix is the quarterback “moving forward. Translation: we’re not looking back.”
This allows the player and the team to consider their options. Cousins’ contract is tradeable. Paying him $62.5 million guaranteed for 14 starts hurts, but his only guarantee on the books next year is his $27.5 million base salary. Qualified veteran quarterbacks will have sweaters.
With at least five teams currently in need of quarterback help to finish in the top 10 in April, the supply alone won’t meet the demand in a class considered weak at the position. Atlanta, with less leverage due to benching, could offer to cover part of the salary to facilitate a deal. Although the market for Cousins will not be as strong as younger, more productive options such as Sam Darnoldmaybe Cousins can sell better mobility to a potential landing spot in his second season after his Achilles tear. And the rest of his skill set only needs one team to believe. As recently as 2022, Cousins has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times.