The Atlanta Falcons are making the go they obviously didn’t need to create – changing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins with rookie Michael Penix Jr. establishing straight away.
Falcons head tutor Raheem Morris introduced the verdict Tuesday night time in a observation immune through the group.
“After review we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward,” the observation learn. “This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
That observation got here lower than 4 hours then Morris had hinted on the go all through a often scheduled information convention the age then the Falcons advanced to 7-7 through beating the Raiders 15-9 in Las Vegas.
“We didn’t play particularly well at the quarterback position,” Morris mentioned. “That’s the thing that’s got to be addressed.”
Penix was once drafted 8th through the Falcons in April. It was once a awe go on the week taking into consideration the group had signed Cousins to a four-year free-agency do business in the former future that assured the 13-year veteran $90 million in wage the primary two seasons and had a complete attainable virtue of $180 million.
The plan on the week was once to sit down Penix at the back of Cousins for no less than a 12 months, and Morris were retaining out hope as lately as endmost era that he may stick to that plan. The top tutor, who was once leased in January, time and again referred to Penix as “the future” and mentioned the Falcons had been dedicated to their “plan” on the place.
“You can look at organizations that have put young guys out there too early, and it’s gone terrible and I don’t want to be that guy,” Morris mentioned endmost era. “I do know the plan that I have and what I want to do for that young man.”
Alternatively, Cousins’ endmost 5 video games satisfied the Falcons they might not stick with the plan. He threw 9 interceptions and one landing in that span and ranked thirty third within the league in anticipated issues added in step with dropback (minus-.14). When the quarterback was once instructed Monday night time that Morris mentioned he had to play games higher, Cousins spoke back, “It’s stating the obvious.”
“I don’t think that’s a mystery,” he mentioned then passing for 112 yards. “Every week you go through your process and plan to go out there and play the very best you can. This week will be no different.”
Morris mentioned Tuesday that he didn’t understand any bodily problems with Cousins that “jump off the page.” The 36-year-old returned this season from a ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his 2023 season then 8 video games.
“Some of it is natural progress of erosion through a football season,” Morris mentioned of Cousins’ look within the region.
The begin to Cousins’ season made it seem like Atlanta’s long-term plan was once taking to paintings. He was once fourth within the league in passing yards (2,328) and touchdowns (17) and 7th in EPA in step with dropback (.15) thru Life 9, and the Falcons raced to a two-game manage within the NFC South.
From there, despite the fact that, Atlanta misplaced 4 directly and fell at the back of Tampa Bay (8-6) within the section as Cousins floundered. In line with The Athletic’s projections, the Falcons now have a 23 p.c anticipation to win the section and a 31 p.c anticipation to create the playoffs.
“Kirk got us into a point of contention,” Morris mentioned endmost era. “You have to have the resolve to stay steady-handed with a guy you believe in. I don’t want to be like some organizations that make harsh decisions on your people when they make their mistakes. It’s our job and my job to back him at the highest level of certainty to get him to get out there and play better. He’s going to come out of this thing, and he’s going to go on a run here.”
He didn’t, despite the fact that, and now the Falcons are turning to Penix, the previous College of Washington quarterback who led the Huskies to the nationwide name contest endmost season and two times was once a Heisman Trophy finalist. How the Falcons care for Cousins from here’s an obvious query. It could value them $65 million in lifeless cash in the event that they immune him then this season, in keeping with Over the Cap. In the event that they retain directly to him throughout the 2025 season both in a go back to the establishing position or as a spare, they might snip him then that season and incur just a $25 million lifeless cap collision.
The Falcons may additionally struggle to business Cousins this offseason. The Raiders, Titans and Giants are anticipated to draft a quarterback however may also be focused on bringing in a veteran to backup the transition. The Saints, Panthers, and Jets may additionally create adjustments.
Cousins’ monitor file of luck will give him some worth at the business marketplace in spite of this season, during which he stands seventeenth in EPA in step with dropback (minus-.05). Alternatively, his week leads to Atlanta, this isn’t how any person envisioned it.
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(Picture: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Photographs)