Marc Raimondi, ESPN staff writer
Michael Penix Jr. is the Atlanta Falcons’ new starting quarterback, coach Raheem Morris announced Tuesday night, with Kirk Cousins serving as the backup.
“After review, we have determined that Michael Penix will serve as the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons,” Morris said in a statement released by the team. “This is a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing for Sunday. Get ready for the game against the New York Giants.”
The Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday night, snapping a four-game losing streak. But Cousins completed just 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He has nine interceptions and just one touchdown pass in his past five games.
Cousins did not take a snap in the first half on Monday night, the first time that has happened in his 13-year career. On the opening play of the second half, he threw a pass that was intercepted by Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane. Running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for 34 rushes and were a major part of the offense.
After the game, Cousins said he had to play better. Morris echoed that sentiment in his post-match press conference, saying it was “obvious.”
The 36-year-old Cousins completed 64.7 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and a league-high 16 interceptions. He also had 12 fumbles, tied with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield for the most in the NFL.
The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract this offseason, and Cousins was recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon that ended the 2023 season in Week 8. About $100 million of that is guaranteed, though most of it will be off the books by 2026. The Falcons will pay Cousins $62.5 million this season.
Penix, 24, led the Washington Huskies to a national championship last season before the Falcons selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in April’s NFL draft. In his final year with the Huskies, he completed 65.4 percent of his passes, threw 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and led the nation in passing yards with 4,903 yards.
When it comes to playing against Penix, Morris said earlier Tuesday before the move that the Falcons are “very smart and careful in how they go about their business,” but he doesn’t see any harm in playing him now.
“You can never say there is a [downside] Give it to people that you’ve invested heavily in, people that you’ve brought in, people that have done some things with you, [has] Nothing but the right thing has been said since they’ve been here,” Morris said of Penix.
The Falcons host the 2-12 Giants on Sunday. Atlanta is now 7-7 and still in contention for a playoff spot, despite a four-game losing streak that has plummeted the team from first place in the NFC South.
When the Falcons drafted Penix, Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot made it clear that Cousins was the quarterback of the present and Penix would be their quarterback of the future. Cousins learned of Penix’s selection just minutes before the move, catching him off guard. Later that night, he texted Penix, and the two developed a relationship over the course of the season.
Cousins and Penix lived on the same street in suburban Georgia and would sometimes carpool to the team’s plane for away games.
Earlier this month, Penix said he supported Cousins and believed he would turn things around. But he said he’ll be ready if the Falcons need him.
“I must be [ready] Because you never know when you’ll get the chance [comes],” Penix said earlier this month. “So, I’m always prepared, but at the end of the day, like I said, it’s not up to me. I have to continue to prepare, continue to be ready for that moment, no matter when it is. “
