The quarterback question looms large in Atlanta as the Falcons cling to their playoff hopes. Head coach Raheem Morris remained noncommittal on Tuesday about whether veteran Kirk Cousins would retain his starting role for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the New York Giants.
Cousins, in his first season with the Falcons after signing a massive $180 million contract, has struggled mightily in recent weeks. The 36-year-old signal caller threw for just 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Atlanta’s 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. It marked the fifth consecutive game in which Cousins has thrown multiple picks while failing to eclipse 200 passing yards.
Obviously getting back [early Tuesday morning], getting a big-time win… There’s no secret. We didn’t play well enough [at] the quarterback position, and we got to find ways to play better.
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons head coach
When pressed on whether Cousins would remain the starter against New York, Morris deflected, saying the team needed to “go through all that process” before making a decision. It’s a notable departure from previous weeks, when the second-year head coach offered unwavering support for his embattled quarterback.
The Heir Apparent Waits in the Wings
Waiting in the wings is rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons selected with the eighth overall pick in April’s draft. The strong-armed passer out of Washington has yet to take a regular-season snap, with Atlanta opting for a redshirt year to allow Penix to develop behind Cousins.
But with Cousins’ struggles mounting and the Falcons fighting for their postseason lives, the calls for Penix to see the field are growing louder. Morris acknowledged there was no downside to turning to the rookie, calling him “somebody that you put a lot of investment into.”
You could never say there’s a [downside] to turn it over to somebody that you put a lot of investment into, somebody that you brought in here, somebody you’ve done some things with, somebody that [has] said nothing but the right things since they’ve been here.
Raheem Morris on potentially starting Michael Penix Jr.
Falcons Still Alive in Playoff Hunt
Despite Cousins’ woes, the Falcons find themselves still in the thick of the NFC playoff race at 7-7. Monday’s victory snapped a four-game losing streak and kept Atlanta within striking distance of the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index projections, the Falcons have a 29% chance of making the postseason and a 20.7% chance of capturing their first division title since 2016. But to do so, they’ll need far better quarterback play down the stretch – whether it comes from a resurgent Cousins or a baptism by fire for the untested Penix.
Morris insists he’ll do “whatever’s best for us to win as many games as we can win this season.” With just three weeks remaining and their playoff dreams hanging by a thread, the Falcons’ quarterback quandary could very well determine whether those dreams become reality or dissolve into another winter of discontent in Atlanta.
