What’s next for Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix and the Falcons?

Kirk Cousins ​​doesn’t see this as a short-term move. The quarterback said he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 11 not only because of $100 million guaranteed over four years, but because it was a place where he wanted to retire.

His wife, Julie, is from Georgia and her family lives in the area and are die-hard Falcons fans.

But when Atlanta unexpectedly selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick on April 25, questions arose about Cousins’ future.

After Tuesday, that future arrived sooner than expected.

The Falcons named Penix the starter a day after Cousins ​​led the league in interceptions with 16. The Falcons snapped a four-game skid with a 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but it wasn’t the kind of performance to look forward to. Putting to rest growing speculation that a quarterback replacement was imminent. Cousins ​​went 11-of-17 for 112 yards, a touchdown and a pick. His 9.0 quarterback rating was the second-lowest in the league in Week 15, better than the 3.6 of Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (also on the bench Tuesday).

Enter Penix, a former Washington star with a great arm who had a 91.3 QBR at deep last year at the college level.

Here are five key questions facing Cousins, Penix and the Falcons, who have a 29% chance of making the playoffs, according to FPI.

Why take action now?

Mark Raimondi: Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said in the preseason that when a quarterback can’t win anymore games, it’s time for him to be benched. In Atlanta’s 6-3 start, Cousins ​​ranks fourth in passing yards (2,328) and is tied for fourth with 17 passing touchdowns. He is one of eight players with four touchdown passes in multiple games this season.

Then the wheels came off.

From Week 10 to Week 14, Cousins ​​became the first player since Brett Favre in 2005 to have at least eight interceptions and no touchdown passes in four games.

On Sunday, it was clear the coaching staff didn’t trust him. For the first time in his career, Cousins ​​did not throw the ball first in the first half and had just 17 total pass attempts.

What does the Falcons’ remaining schedule look like? What are their playoff chances?

Raimondi: Penix will make his first regular-season start Sunday at home against the 2-12 New York Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox News). The Falcons are 8-point favorites.

Afterwards, the Falcons visit the Washington Commanders for a “Sunday Night Football” themed game.

Atlanta hosts the Carolina Panthers. Those are three winnable games, and the Falcons should win two. So, maybe Penix saved the season. If not, he could still get much-needed reps in 2025.

What will be the reaction in the locker room?

Raimondi: Uniform. If Cousins ​​continues to start, his teammates will be fighting for him. Now they will ride with Penix, who has been supportive and performed well since his arrival.

It’s no accident that Penix earned the locker spot next to safety Jesse Bates III. Betts is one of the team’s leaders and one of the most respected players in the NFL. He helps Penix be taken care of and keeps him motivated when the team needs him.

How has Penix fared in the preseason? How does he spark the offense?

Raimondi: Penix went 9-for-16 for 104 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in one game against the Miami Dolphins. The Falcons did not play him in two more preseason games, and Morris said they had seen enough of him.

Penix has been inconsistent at times during training camp, which isn’t surprising for a rookie. But he also threw some pitches that made it clear why the Falcons ranked him high enough to move him to No. 8 overall. The arm talent is undeniable.

Cousins ​​can’t throw the ball long and seems to have lost his velocity.

What does this mean for Cousins’ future in Atlanta?

Jeremy Fowler: Effectively over. It’s hard to imagine the team turning to Cousins ​​in 2025. The Falcons made it clear in a statement that Penix is ​​the quarterback “moving forward.” Translation: We won’t look back.

This leaves players and teams weighing their options. Cousins’ contract is tradable. Paying $62.5 million in guaranteed money for his 14 starts is painful, but the only guarantee on his books next year is his $27.5 million base salary. Capable veteran quarterbacks will have suitors.

At least five of the top 10 teams currently scheduled to draft in April are in need of quarterback help, it’s just that the supply isn’t meeting the needs of a class considered weak at the position. Atlanta is less leveraged due to its bench and could offer to pay some of his salary to broker a trade. While the market for Cousins ​​won’t be as strong as a younger, more productive option like Sam Darnold, perhaps Cousins ​​could sell his improved mobility in his second season following a torn Achilles tendon Give potential landing spots. All it takes is one team to believe in his remaining skills. Cousins ​​has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times, most recently in 2022.