Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced the decision on Tuesday to promote Penix Jr. as the starter.
It came after the Monday Night Football win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins struggled in that game, attempting just 17 passes, and has thrown nine interceptions over his last five outings.
“It’s pro football, and there’s a standard I hold myself to, and the team holds me to, that I wasn’t consistently meeting,” Cousins said.
“It is what it is, and you roll with it. Now, I’ll just stay ready – ‘one play away’ – and support Mike, trying to help the team win these last three games to make the playoffs. That’s what it’s all about.”
Cousins said he received a call from Morris on Tuesday evening, during which he was informed that Penix would take over as the starter. Following that conversation, Cousins reached out to Penix directly.
Ready for the opportunity pic.twitter.com/tYXh5OwbkK
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 18, 2024
“I just wanted to let him know I’d be in his corner, supporting him, and helping him however I can,” Cousins added.
“I like to shoot elephants in the room, so I just wanted to shoot one.”
At 7-7, the Falcons remain in the play-off race, sitting second in the NFC South.
They hold the tiebreaker over the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will face the two-win New York Giants this Sunday.
Coach Morris cited turnovers as the main reason for benching Cousins. The 36-year-old quarterback leads the league with 16 interceptions and is tied with Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield for the most fumbles (12).
“I think the turnovers come down to decision-making more than anything, and that doesn’t have to do with any physical limitations,” Cousins explained.
“I didn’t forget how to play quarterback. Turnovers weren’t what you want, but I didn’t forget how to play.”
