3 weeks, 2 days ago

Falcons name rookie Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB, benching veteran Kirk Cousins

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback and benching veteran Kirk Cousins as they fight for their first playoff berth since 2017. “After review we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback moving forward,” Morris said. “There’s a lot of room for improvement and we’d like to finish a lot stronger here these last three weeks.” The Falcons made the switch about three hours after Morris told reporters he wasn’t ready to make a decision on this week’s starter. When you go through the stress that we’re going through right now, you’re not going to have that same confidence and the same swagger that you had in the first, two months or three months, whatever it was, of the season.” Morris has consistently said the plan was for Cousins to handle the job this season while Penix prepared to take over at some point in the future.

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History of this topic

15 hours, 18 minutes ago

Falcons GM Fontenot insists team is ‘very comfortable’ with keeping QB Cousins as a backup to Penix

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Thursday the team is “very comfortable” with keeping Kirk Cousins on the roster next season as the backup quarterback behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins was signed to a four-year, $180 million contract last offseason with $100 million guaranteed but was benched as Penix started the final three games of …

3 days, 8 hours ago

QB Penix gives Falcons reason for hope as defense faces possible offseason changes after 8-9 finish

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. left the Atlanta Falcons’ practice facility on Monday clutching two game balls as keepsakes from a rookie season that ended with his first three starts. Despite Penix passing for 312 yards and accounting for three touchdowns — two passing and one rushing — Atlanta’s 44-38 overtime loss to Carolina on Sunday extended the …

1 week ago

Falcons are leaning on rookie QB Penix as they try to protect fading playoff hopes against Panthers

Associated Press

Carolina at Atlanta Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 8 1/2 Series record: Falcons lead 37-22 Against the spread: Panthers 7-9, Falcons 7-9 Last meeting: Falcons beat Panthers 38-20 at Carolina on Oct. 13. Panthers offense: overall, rush, pass, scoring Panthers defense: overall, rush, pass, scoring Falcons offense: overall, rush, pass, scoring Falcons defense: overall, rush, pass, …

Penix and the Falcons at Daniels and the Commanders in prime-time meeting of 1st-round rookie QBs

Associated Press

Atlanta at Washington Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC BetMGM NFL odds: Commanders by 4 Against the spread: Falcons 7-8; Commanders 9-6 Series record: Washington leads 18-10-1 Last meeting: Commanders beat Falcons 24-16 on Oct. 15, 2023, at Atlanta. Falcons: overall, rush, pass, scoring Falcons defense: overall, rush, pass, scoring Commanders offense: overall, rush, pass, scoring Commanders defense: overall, rush, pass, …

2 weeks, 3 days ago

With rookie QB Penix showing poise in starting debut, the Falcons again control their playoff hopes

Associated Press

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are back in first place in the NFC South and again in control of their playoff hopes. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed the poise in his first NFL start the Falcons will need to take advantage of their opportunity to end a six-year playoff drought. Powered by a big-play defense that produced two pick-6s, …

3 weeks ago

Falcons turn to rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. for key game vs Giants

Associated Press

New York Giants at Atlanta Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 8 1/2. Falcons player to watch QB Michael Penix Jr. will make his first career start after the Falcons benched 13-year veteran Kirk Cousins. Series notes The Falcons have won three straight in the series.. New York’s most recent win over the Falcons was a …

3 weeks, 1 day ago

What’s next for Kirk Cousins? How the Falcons could move on and where the QB would fit best

New York Times

Kirk Cousins appeared to be back in peak form as the NFL calendar turned to October. Aaron Rodgers said he thinks Kirk Cousins will be better next year since he’ll be further away from his Achilles injury and feels he has a lot of good years left in him. Whatever the case, Cousins’ relationship with Stefanski could help him trust …

3 weeks, 3 days ago

Kirk Cousins acknowledges he must play better if Atlanta Falcons are to make a playoff push

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — If the Atlanta Falcons are going to make a playoff push, coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins both know the 13-year veteran needs to improve his performance over the last three games of the season. “He’s got to play better,” Morris said after the Falcons escaped Monday night with a 15-9 road win over the lowly …

1 month ago

The Falcons are sticking with Kirk Cousins and may get a break thanks to a soft schedule

Associated Press

ATLANTA — Even when grappling with a four-game losing streak and the uncertainty generated by quarterback Kirk Cousins’ eight interceptions and no touchdown passes in that span, there is some solace for the Atlanta Falcons. “We’re right in this thing,” right guard Chris Lindstrom said Monday before acknowledging he is “obviously not happy or satisfied with where we’re at.” Lindstrom …

1 month ago

NFL Week 14 takeaways: A red flag for Bills defense? Should Falcons bench Cousins for Penix?

New York Times

Week 14’s Sunday action brought a continuation of a few recent trends: The Panthers pushed another contender to the limit, the Jets continued to falter late, and Kirk Cousins struggled badly. Nguyen: The Seahawks are playing much better and their defense has made some huge improvements since acquiring Ernest Jones, but it’s hard to argue that they’re better than the …

1 month, 1 week ago

Falcons’ Morris remains loyal to struggling QB Cousins despite 4 interceptions in loss to Chargers

Associated Press

ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris insists Kirk Cousins’ struggles with interceptions didn’t cause him to consider a change at quarterback against the Los Angeles Chargers. Cousins threw four interceptions, matching his career high, including a final pick with 40 seconds remaining in the Falcons’ 17-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. You know, that guy’s carried us.” Morris …

2 months ago

Kirk Cousins' Comeback in Atlanta: A Turning Point for the Falcons

Associated Press

Kirk Cousins leads a massive turnaround in Atlanta, now he’s got to finish strong. The Falcons (6-3) have a firm grasp on first place in the NFC South, putting them in a strong position to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. Cousins is a big reason for the renaissance, showing he was very much worth …

2 months, 1 week ago

Cousins' Epic Performance Against Bucs Propels Falcons to First Place in NFC South

Associated Press

Cousins continues his dominance against the Bucs, throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 79.3% of his passes. He now has eight TD passes with one interception in two wins over Tampa Bay, putting him on a strong path to first place in the NFC South. The Falcons are looking for stability at quarterback after signing Cousins to a …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Cousins suddenly looks like a $180 million QB leading Falcons’ shocker in Philly

Associated Press

ATLANTA — With a year of high hopes on the cusp of a 0-2 start, Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons suddenly found their mojo. “We go around saying it all the time, but when players actually go out and execute it and do it, it’s something that just creates this energy for those guys to be able to get …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Kirk Cousins’ stunning game-winning drive shows why the Falcons paid him

New York Times

PHILADELPHIA — Kirk Cousins didn’t want to say it, but Jessie Bates III finally admitted it. The Atlanta Falcons upset the Philadelphia Eagles 22-21 at Lincoln Financial Field on “Monday Night Football” on the backs of their most expensive free-agent acquisitions from the last two offseasons. That’s the way this league is so when you can find those inches, it …

4 months, 1 week ago

Falcons have high expectations after 6 straight losing seasons

Associated Press

ATLANTA FALCONS EXPECTATIONS: After six straight losing seasons, owner Arthur Blank spent heavily and expects nothing less than a return to the playoffs. The Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith after he failed to turn things around during his three-year stint, replacing him with former Tampa Bay coach and longtime NFL assistant Raheem Morris. While the Falcons insist Cousins is the …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Rookie Michael Penix Jr. to sit again in Falcons’ final preseason game against the Jaguars

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has played in one preseason game for the Atlanta Falcons. The decision to give Penix limited playing time has raised plenty of eyebrows, especially since starter Kirk Cousins isn’t playing at all in the preseason as he returns from an Achilles tendon injury. “You’ve seen the amount of reps that Michael’s …

5 months ago

Rookie Michael Penix Jr. has good start for Falcons in 20-13 loss to Dolphins in preseason opener

Associated Press

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Atlanta rookie Michael Penix Jr. completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards in the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams. “So it was good to see our guys get a win in front of the home fans.” In addition to Penix’s first game, it …

5 months, 1 week ago

Falcons owner Arthur Blank says optimism is increased by new names atop the QB depth chart

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says having new names atop the quarterback depth chart is among the reasons he is “more optimistic than I’ve been in several years” about his team’s outlook. “We’ve seen that movie when we didn’t have a franchise quarterback, and we didn’t want to repeat that again,” Blank said of the recent …

5 months, 1 week ago

Falcons owner Arthur Blank defends Michael Penix Jr. pick: We’re ‘independent thinkers’

New York Times

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After more than five decades in business, 81-year-old Arthur Blank thinks a lot about all sorts of succession plans, particularly the one his Atlanta Falcons most recently botched. “We have seen that movie where we didn’t have a franchise quarterback, and we didn’t want to repeat that again,” Blank said Tuesday after visiting Atlanta’s training camp …

5 months, 2 weeks ago

Falcons offensive line knows protecting Cousins is vital to team’s hopes for a winning season

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons left guard Matthew Bergeron doesn’t have to be reminded that protecting the quarterback will be more important than ever with Kirk Cousins taking snaps. “Let’s be honest, he’s kind of old as well,” Bergeron said after Friday’s second practice of training camp. And also everybody appreciates Kirk.. You want to avoid any type of …

7 months ago

Falcons QB Cousins remains on track in recovery from torn right Achilles as team approaches minicamp

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’ recovery from a torn Achilles tendon remains on track as the team approaches next week’s mandatory minicamp. Coach Raheem Morris said Monday he can’t ask for Cousins to do more in the minicamp because “he’s done almost everything” in the organized team activities. “I was planning on basically getting my first …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Atlanta Falcons 2024 schedule: Arthur Smith’s return kicks off challenging September

New York Times

Who were the biggest winners and losers of the NFL schedule release? The wife of new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins spent the first part of the month just like every other NFL fan — anxiously awaiting the league’s release of its full schedule. After opening against a Steelers team with the world’s most motivated offensive coordinator, the Falcons play at …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Cousins shrugs off drafting of Penix, says he’s ready to make it work for the Falcons

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kirk Cousins shrugged off any hard feelings Tuesday over the Atlanta Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr., insisting he’s ready to compete and doesn’t think there will be any issues in the quarterback room. That dynamic has always been there and will always be there.” Even though he’s yet to play a game for the Falcons, Cousins …

7 months, 4 weeks ago

Falcons rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. says he is ‘super blessed’ to learn behind starter Kirk Cousins

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. insists he’ll have no difficulty adjusting to his role as the backup to new Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. I’m super blessed to be able to be right here in this position with a veteran in front of me, just learning from him and going about my business each and every day …

8 months, 1 week ago

NFL execs on Falcons’ process after doubling up at QB in NFL Draft: ‘No adult supervision’

New York Times

The biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft was the Atlanta Falcons selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. Less than two months after the team signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency, the move to draft a quarterback so early in the draft bewildered team leaders in an anonymous survey of current and former …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Michael Penix Jr. had a 'good conversation' with Kirk Cousins after being controversially picked by the Falcons in the NFL Draft... amid confusion over Atlanta adding him to QB room alongside $180m re

Daily Mail

Michael Penix Jr. has revealed he had a 'good conversation' with Kirk Cousins following the Atlanta Falcons' controversial decision to sign both quarterbacks. Just over a month since they handed Cousins, 35, a four-year, $180million contract, the Falcons stunned both their new recruit and football fans by picking Penix with the eighth overall pick at this week's NFL Draft. Michael …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

QB Penix hears from Cousins, Vick after landing with Falcons as NFL draft first-round surprise pick

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr., the biggest surprise of the NFL draft’s first round, received a congratulatory call from Kirk Cousins on Thursday night even as Cousins’ agent was second-guessing the Atlanta Falcons adding depth to their quarterback spot. He flicked the ball like it was effortless.” Clearly, Penix’s powerful left arm was the primary reason the Falcons, …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Dave Portnoy brands Atlanta Falcons 'IDIOTS' for picking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 NFL Draft - weeks after signing Kirk Cousins on $180m, four-year deal

Daily Mail

Dave Portnoy has torn into the Atlanta Falcons for drafting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180million contract. Cousins, 35, was said to be 'a bit stunned' by the move, according to The Athletic as the Falcons selected a direct rival for his place with the eighth pick of the night. The Falcons …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Kirk Cousins was 'stunned' to see Falcons pick Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall at 2024 NFL Draft a month after Atlanta signed the 35-year-old QB to a four-year, $180million deal

Daily Mail

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was 'a bit stunned' to see the team take fellow signal caller Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick of the NFL Draft, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. The Falcons extended their recent trend of selecting offensive skill players in the first round by drafting Penix one month after signing Cousins to a four-year, …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Falcons provide an NFL draft surprise by taking Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. with No. 8 pick

Associated Press

Follow AP’s live coverage of the 2024 NFL draft. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons provided the first major surprise of the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington with the No. We’re very excited about that quarterback room.” New coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons wanted to draft Penix this year because they don’t plan …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Kirk Cousins concerned Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. doesn’t help team this season

New York Times

The Atlanta Falcons made a surprising selection taking former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. When Cousins signed with the team this offseason, the Falcons told him they would be drafting a quarterback in the later rounds of this draft. Part of the reason Atlanta selected Penix is that it believes it won’t have a top pick in …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Kirk Cousins looks to build his postseason legacy with the Falcons

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kirk Cousins has a single playoff victory in his long career. “When the owner, general manager, head coach and quarterback are on the same page, that’s when you really have a chance to go win a Super Bowl,” Cousins said at the team’s suburban training facility. That’s exciting for me and why I’m thrilled to be …

9 months, 4 weeks ago

Cousins leaves Vikings for big new contract with Falcons in QB’s latest well-timed trip to market

Associated Press

Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta, landing another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency. Cousins agreed Monday to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed with the Falcons, according to a person with knowledge of the terms, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal can’t be signed until Wednesday …

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3 days, 8 hours ago