Nov 17, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.
Kirk Cousins could be benched rather soon — or at least his teammates feel QB2 Michael Penix Jr. could be a better option under center, says one NFL insider.
Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings nine months ago, latching onto the Atlanta Falcons’ roster for megabucks and authoring his career’s third chapter on a team surrounded by dazzling playmaking options. His squad began the season with a sweet 6-3 record — in the driver’s seat to reach the playoffs but has faceplanted in the last six weeks.
The veteran passer also leads the NFL in interceptions and fumbles.
And when those types of statistics bubble to the surface, a quarterback controversy typically ensues. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Cousins’ teammates might believe Penix Jr. is the better fit for the offense.
“I truly believe the only reason that they haven’t gone to Michael Penix Jr. yet is because of optics. Because, the Falcons gave Kirk Cousins $100 million guaranteed. I have had players inside that locker room tell me, point blank, Michael Penix Jr. is the best quarterback in this building,” Schultz said on FS1 airwaves late last week.
Atlanta actually has a marvelous offensive setup featuring weaponry like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts. There aren’t many excuses on offense to explain the sudden downturn.
“The fact that they still have Kirk Cousins, who has the worst QBR in the red zone… who leads the NFL in picks (15), fumbles 12, and this is a team by the way with really good talent. You ask anybody around this league, and they’ll tell you, they have great weaponry. There’s Bijan, Pitts, London, Mooney, you go down the list. The fact that they are still with Cousins is because of optics,” Schultz added.
Moreover, the Falcons wanted it this way. They opted to pay Cousins mucho dinero in March and drafted Penix Jr. six weeks later. The draft pick absolutely mind-boggled everyone in the NFL, from rival executives, NFL fans, to Cousins personally.
The fact that players are excited about Penix Jr. — as a superior alternative to Cousins — is just like Atlanta drew it up. The hand-off must occur sometime, and based on the trajectory of the 2024 campaign, Cousins could, in theory, be benched as soon as Week 16, also known as a day from now.
Atlanta takes on the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, desperately needing a dub to keep pace in NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Schultz is correct and the Falcons explore Penix Jr. during the remainder of the season or pick him over Cousins in 2025, cutting Cousins will cost the franchise $65 million in dead cap.
Cousins will turn 37 in August.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.