Kirk Cousins (36) will be the backup quarterback at the start of a game for the first time this season after signing a massive four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons earlier this year. The veteran quarterback has been rough the past five games, throwing nine interceptions to just one touchdown.
"After review we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback moving forward," said head coach Raheem Morris in the official statement. "This was a football decision, and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants."
Penix Jr. came in a couple of times for the Falcons in two losses this year where the team was far gone from coming back. In October's loss to Seattle, Penix Jr. completed the only pass he threw for 14 yards while in November's loss to the Denver Broncos, the rookie completed two of four passes for 24 yards.
This move comes at a crucial time for a 7-7 Falcons team right in the heart of the NFC South divisional race. Atlanta won 15-9 on Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, but a poor performance from Cousins yet again was all the convincing the team needed.
"We didn't play particularly well at the quarterback position," said Morris. "We didn't play well (Monday) at that spot. I like to be open and honest about those things. It's always going to be those questions marks. It's always going to be those question marks when it comes to head coach, when it comes to the quarterback. And you got to be really transparent about it. We got to play better. I think that's the thing that's got to be put out there, that we got to play better, and that's the thing that's got to be addressed. This thing's got to happen in order for us to find ways to win versus our next opponent, which is the New York Giants."
Penix Jr. won the Heisman Trophy last season while playing for Washington and was eventually selected eighth overall by the Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, the rookie quarterback will be looking to make his first official start with Morris completely behind him.
"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," said Morris regarding Penix Jr.
The NFL has already flexed the Falcons-Commanders game in two weeks for a Sunday Night primetime showdown, a game which could decide a flurry of different outcomes for both teams.