Falcons head coach Raheem Morris came to the conclusion rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. gives Atlanta the best chance to beat the New York Giants on Sunday, a victory likely required to remain in the NFC playoff picture.
“I don’t think anything is ever permanent in the National Football League, but right now Michael Penix is our quarterback,” Morris said Wednesday.
The first-year coach made the move to Penix, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, following an objective review of starter Kirk Cousins’ play over the past five weeks. Cousins, signed to a four-year, $140 million contract in March, had one touchdown pass Monday to snap a four-game losing streak at Las Vegas. He leads the NFL with 18 turnovers, 16 interceptions and the Falcons (7-7) did their best to look beyond financial considerations and past season performance in an effort to win the moment.
Because players were off Tuesday after a return flight from Las Vegas that followed the win over the Raiders, Morris called Cousins on Tuesday night to relay his decision.
“I brought Kirk in here with belief we could win a championship with Kirk. For whatever reason, lately it hasn’t looked that way,” Morris said.
“We’ve got to play better at the position.”
Cousins said he called Penix after talking to Morris to let him know he is “in his corner,” and would help him any way he can.
“It’s pro football and there’s a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me that unfortunately I wasn’t playing up to that standard consistently enough. And so, it is what it is, and you roll with it and now you still get ready — one play away kind of a thing,” Cousins said Wednesday. “And support Mike and just try to help our team be able to find a way to win these last three to get in the playoffs and that’s what it’s all about.”
Atlanta (7-7) trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South race. The Falcons play the Washington Commanders (9-5) on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17 and playoff position could be on the line if the Falcons beat the Giants and the NFC-East leading Eagles beat the Commanders this week.
While coaches claimed the offense will remain the same, the process of upramping Penix shifted into fast-forward at the Flowery Branch, Ga., facility this week. Morris admitted there’s limited chemistry between the rookie lefty and his top targets in the underachieving offense. One plus Morris called out was Penix bringing more athletic ability and mobility than Cousins.
Morris, who has repeated before and during the season he doesn’t need to be the “smartest person in the building,” said the QB decision was a collaboration that involved owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot. He said he’s not worried about Penix staring down the barrel with the playoffs still possible, crediting the 24-year-old with “maturity that goes beyond his years.”
He also credited Cousins for taking the demotion as a professional.
“Any time you take a step down, and demotion, whatever the case may be it’s not going to be met with great appreciation,” Morris said. “But Kirk was a professional. He’s a pro, he’s a man, he’s great human, great father, he’s a great football player. He’s done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He’s an absolute professional. I can’t say enough good things about who the man is. Obviously it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job.”
Morris said it’s too early to discuss what the depth chart reset means for Cousins’ future with the Falcons. His 2025 salary of $27.5 is fully guaranteed and Atlanta already paid Cousins a $50 million signing bonus and the majority of his $12.5 million base salary for 2024.
There’s some professional historical precedent to the situation playing out in Atlanta for Morris.
During his head coaching run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011, Morris turned to rookie first-round pick Josh Freeman midway through the 2009 season. Byron Leftwich began 2009 as the starter but was sidelined with an elbow injury.
Freeman won his first start with three TD passes, beating the Packers 38-28 to end an 11-game losing streak dating to 2008. The following season, in 2010, Freeman helped Morris flip the Bucs’ 3-13 record to 10-6.
–Field Level Media
