Falcons HC makes decision on Kirk Cousins as fans rally for Michael Penix Jr.
When the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. in this year's draft, despite signing veteran Kirk Cousins in the offseason, many thought that it was foolhardy to waste a pick on a quarterback instead of getting weapons for an established starter. Atlanta fans, though, are glad they have a first-round backup because the former Vikings star has struggled mightily in recent weeks.
He had one of his worst outings on his return to Minnesota this week. Instead of it being a triumphant homecoming and revenge, his successor for the NFC North team, Sam Darnold, burnished his MVP credentials. The Falcons were walloped 42-21 and ceded top spot in the NFC South to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their path to the playoffs through a Wild Card looks complicated, so winning the division is seemingly the best way to make the postseason.
That's why Atlanta fans are asking coach Raheem Morris to start Michael Penix Jr. They are just one game behind the Bucs and have three winnable games against teams with a losing record in the final four weeks. However, none of them look a sure bet with the way Kirk Cousins is playing. The Falcons' matchup against the Saints last month was supposed to be a similarly easy win, but they floundered that opportunity too.
However, Raheem Morris has insisted that Kirk Cousins has earned a right to remain the starter and get Atlanta back to winning ways. He confirmed that Michael Penix Jr. will remain a backup, at least until next week.
Has Kirk Cousins earned the right to be Falcons QB1 over Michael Penix Jr.?
Raheem Morris said that Kirk Cousins deserved loyalty for his performances earlier in the season and is not wrong that the veteran quarterback had a good stretch. After four touchdowns and four interceptions in the first four games, the former Vikings quarterback threw 13 touchdowns and three picks in the next five.
However, the reason Falcons fans are asking the coach to bench him is because of the dropoff in his output in the past four weeks. Quite incredibly, he has eight picks in those games and didn't account for any touchdown.
Two of them came in Minnesota, following up the four interceptions against the Chargers the week before. Raheem Morris' loyalty is commendable, but with the playoffs on the line, many Atlanta supporters are looking for ruthlessness.