Michael Penix Jr. has officially been named the new starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, replacing Kirk Cousins.
The decision comes after the Falcons’ 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, a win that snapped a four-game losing streak.
Despite the victory, Cousins struggled, completing just 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Over his last five games, Cousins has thrown nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass.
“After review, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback moving forward,” Morris said in a statement.
“This was a football decision, and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
The rookie QB makes his first start in Week 16 @themikepenix pic.twitter.com/zYjRUwpzNY
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2024
Cousins’ performance was especially uncharacteristic Monday night, as he didn’t attempt a single first-down pass during the entire first half – a first in his 13-year career.
When he did attempt a first-down pass to open the second half, it was intercepted by Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane.
Cousins, 36, has struggled throughout the season, completing 64.7% of his passes with 18 touchdowns but leading the league in interceptions with 16.
He has also fumbled 12 times, tying Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield for the most in the NFL.
The Falcons signed Cousins in the off-season to a four-year, $180 million deal after his 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings was cut short by a torn Achilles.
Of the $180 million, $100 million is guaranteed, though much of the guaranteed money will come off the books by 2026. Cousins is earning $62.5 million this season alone.
BREAKING: Falcons name Michael Penix Jr. starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/PGSnZ4Nxvo
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2024
Enter Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ first-round draft pick this year, has been waiting in the wings.
The 24-year-old quarterback had an impressive college career, leading the Washington Huskies to the national championship game last season.
He threw for 4,903 yards – leading the nation – while completing 65.4% of his passes with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his final year.
When asked about the move to start Penix, Morris had expressed confidence in the rookie’s readiness. He said: “You could never say there’s a [downside] to turning it over to somebody that you put a lot of investment into.
“Somebody that you brought in here, somebody you’ve done some things with, somebody that [has] said nothing but the right things since they’ve been here.”
At 7-7, the Falcons are still in play-off contention, though their four-game skid earlier in the season knocked them out of first place in the NFC South.
Coach Morris has named Michael Penix Jr. the starting quarterback moving forward
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 18, 2024
With the 2-12 New York Giants coming to town on Sunday, Atlanta hopes the quarterback change will reignite their post-season push.
When Penix was drafted eighth overall, both Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot had emphasised that Cousins was their quarterback for the present while Penix was being groomed for the future. The shift to Penix now accelerates that timeline.
“I have to be [ready] because you never know when the opportunity [comes],” Penix said. “So, I always stay ready. But at the end of the day, like I said, it’s not up to me. I just got to continue to be ready for that moment, whenever that is.”
