With an Eye on the Future, the Atlanta Falcons Shock with Michael Penix Jr. Selection in 2024 NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons stunned many with their selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft. And now, the future is now as Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced on Tuesday that he’s benching Kirk Cousins and Penix will start Sunday against the New York Giants and going forward this season.
Cousins has struggled mightily as of late, having thrown one touchdown and nine interceptions over Atlanta’s past five games. After Monday’s 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Morris, who had been steadfast in his support of Cousins, changed his tone and said the team would “look at everything” regarding the position. In a news conference earlier Tuesday, Morris was non-committal to Cousins remaining the starter.
That’s led to Cousins, despite signing a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract, heading to the bench and Penix heading into his first NFL start Sunday. Around the NFL will have more shortly.