The hot topic around Flowery Branch is whether the Falcons should bench Kirk Cousins and start the Michael Penix Jr. era.
Following another loss in which he failed to throw a touchdown but did throw a couple more interceptions, Cousins is amid the worst stretch of his career. Hell, it’s one of the worst stretches for any quarterback.
He and Brett Favre are the only signal callers to throw at least eight interceptions and no touchdowns in a four-game stretch since 2005. That’s hilariously bad. Favre, the gunslinger, isn’t a surprise, but Cousins, a conservative thrower, is shocking.
Most conversations about the quarterback situation surround one central idea — Michael Penix Jr. gives the team a better chance to win than Kirk Cousins. If you’re a part of this crowd, you’re missing the point.
Benching Cousins isn’t about the Falcons salvaging the season; it’s not about today. Turning to Penix is about tomorrow. There’s no guarantee that the rookie would be as effective as the veteran; in fact, I’d argue it’s unlikely that Penix is more productive than Cousins.
While he’s already more physically talented, there’s no world where Penix is better between the ears than Cousins. Experience is why Cousins gives the Falcons the best chance of winning right now, but it’s also why the Falcons should turn to Penix.
Raheem Morris is fooling himself if he thinks Kirk Cousins can lead this team anywhere meaningful. It’s a flawed roster and coaching staff. If all Arthur Blank wants is to win the worst division in football en route to a one-and-done postseason exit, the Falcons should just stick to the script with Cousins under center.
To me? That’s cowardly. The organization is more interested in not being bad than it wants to be truly great. Blank hasn’t seen a Falcons playoff game since 2017, and he’s never seen one in Mercedes Benz Stadium. The franchise’s owner is desperate to just be a playoff team.
The Falcons’ goal should be to onboard Michael Penix Jr. as quickly as possible because he’s going to be the catalyst to get this club to the top of the mountain. Starting that process as soon as possible should be the conversation, and Kirk Cousins playing awfully is a damn good reason to begin.
The conversation isn’t about what’s best for the Falcons right now. The conversation should be about what is best for the Falcons in relation to a Lombardi Trophy, and Penix getting much-needed in-game experience is one step closer to that goal.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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