Raheem Morris wanted Kirk Cousins to play better. He will ultimately no longer play for the moment.
Tuesday evening, the Falcons coach announced that Michael Penix will be his team's starting quarterback for the next game.
“ After careful consideration, we have made the decision that Michael Penix will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons moving forward.“, explains the franchise press release. “ This is a sporting decision and we are fully focused on preparing for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. »
The decision is certainly sporty. Cousins has thrown the most interceptions in the NFL this year, with a total of 16. Nine of those interceptions have come in the last five games, compared to just one touchdown over the same span.
Kirk Cousins has also lost 12 fumbles this year. Again, that's the worst mark in the NFL, tied with Baker Mayfield.
Sixteen interceptions and twelve fumbles, that’s still 26 lost balls in 14 games.
Kirk Cousins, 100 million guaranteed for nothing
If Michael Penix succeeds in taking the position over time, Kirk Cousins will have been the most expensive transition quarterback in history. Last spring, he arrived in Atlanta for 180 million dollars over 4 seasons, including 100 million guaranteed!
His placement on the bench will offer a nice financial headache to the Atlanta franchise, which will find itself with a lot of money blocked on a bench player.
Michael Penix, Atlanta believes in it
Last April, the Falcons surprised everyone by selecting Michael Penix in eighth position in the Draft. Cousins didn't really take it well either.
However, Terry Fontenot, the general manager, was firm at the time.
“If you believe in a quarterback, you have to select him“, he explained. “ And if he's going to be on the bench for 4 or 5 years, that's a good problem to have, because it means you have quality in that position. But it's as simple as that: if you see a guy you believe in for this position, you have to take it.. »
The next few weeks will show whether Fontenot was right to surprise everyone.
Irregular and not necessarily the most mobile, Michael Penix is on the other hand a pitcher with a big arm, who knows how to throw quickly. He's now in charge of keeping Atlanta's playoff hopes alive.
