The Atlanta Falcons have made a significant decision by replacing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins with rookie Michael Penix Jr. as the starting quarterback effective immediately.
Head coach Raheem Morris announced the change in a statement released by the team on Tuesday night.
“After review, we have decided to have Michael Penix Jr. as the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons going forward,” the statement read. “This was a football-related decision, and our focus is on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
This decision came shortly after Morris hinted at the change during a news conference following the Falcons’ victory over the Raiders.
Penix was drafted by the Falcons in April as the eighth overall pick, despite Cousins being signed to a significant contract the month before. The original plan was to have Penix learn from Cousins for at least a year, but recent performances by the veteran quarterback led to the change.
Cousins’ struggles in the last five games, with nine interceptions and one touchdown, convinced the Falcons that it was time for a change. Morris mentioned that the team could no longer stick to the original plan due to Cousins’ performance.
Despite Cousins’ past success, the Falcons are now looking towards the future with Penix at the helm. The team faces tough decisions regarding Cousins’ future with the organization, including the possibility of a trade.
As the Falcons navigate this quarterback transition, the team remains focused on their upcoming games and the remainder of the season.
Required reading
(Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)