In October, the Atlanta Falcons seemed destined to dominate the NFC South, but after a 27-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the team stumbled into a four-game losing streak. The incremental win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night snapped the skid, but not without its flaws. The Falcons generated just one offensive touchdown and quarterback Kirk Cousins finished the night with a meager 112 passing yards.
Cousins has now thrown nine interceptions and one touchdown over his last five games. The poor performance has led to renewed questions about his job security, with coach Raheem Morris hinting that change may be necessary. Morris acknowledged that the team needed better production from the quarterback, stating, “He’s got to play better. We have to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”
Despite the need for improvement, Morris stopped short of committing to bench Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. However, Penix’s performance in the preseason may have increased the pressure on Cousins to perform. Signed to a four-year, $180 million contract, the 36-year-old quarterback’s underwhelming performance adds significant financial implications to the organization’s decision.
With Cousins struggling, some wonder if the Falcons might choose to move on from him at the end of the season. These thoughts are complicated by the contract’s $100 million guarantee. Morris and the organization have explored the pros and cons of this situation, considering the investment made in Cousins and the potential for the young quarterback, Penix Jr., to take over in the future.
