Matt Ryan thinks Falcons could bench Kirk Cousins in Week 14

The Falcons’ quarterback situation, which had largely flown under the radar during the early part of the season thanks to Kirk Cousins’ strong play and the team’s position atop the division, is now a major talking point across the national media. Cousins is currently enduring the worst three-game stretch of his career. Since his last touchdown pass in Week 9 against the Cowboys, he has thrown six interceptions, resulting in three consecutive losses.

Even more concerning than the stats is what the eye test reveals. Kirk Cousins doesn’t resemble the player he was before suffering a torn Achilles last season. His mobility is virtually nonexistent, and his arm strength—never a standout feature—now seems insufficient to consistently deliver passes to the outer parts of the field. It’s a far cry from what the Falcons expected when they signed him to a $180 million deal in free agency this past offseason.

However, unlike many teams in similar predicaments, Atlanta has a compelling alternative waiting in the wings: Michael Penix Jr., the 8th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Calls for the rookie to take the reins grow louder with each passing week. Despite the pressure, Falcons legend and current CBS Sports analyst Matt Ryan believes it’s not yet time to turn away from Cousins.

“I got asked this question before their bye week…I thought it was going to take a couple more weeks of poor performances. But, I look at what they’re going against this week in Minnesota…I think you’ve gotta stick with Kirk,” Matt Ryan said, via Bryce Lewis on X/Twitter. 

I tend to agree with Ryan when discussing the upcoming matchup against the Vikings. Minnesota’s defense, led by Brian Flores, is one of the best in the league and is extremely difficult for any quarterback to dissect, let alone a rookie. The Falcons still have a fighting chance to make the playoffs if they finish the season strong, so starting Cousins for at least one more week feels like the correct decision.

However, if things go awry for a fourth consecutive week and the Falcons fall to 6-7, I’m not sure any case can be made to continue starting Kirk Cousins, and Matt Ryan agrees.

“I just don’t think this is the week to do it for Michael Penix,” Ryan continued. “But if it goes bad, and it’s not the first half that you want, I know Raheem has said that he’s not going to make a change at this point, I think they would be apt to make an in-game change.”

Raheem Morris has done his best at trying to quiet any notion that there’s quarterback controversy, but we are all watching the same game. Kirk Cousins looks like a shell of himself out there, and the Falcons playoff chances are spiraling. One more abysmal performance and Morris might finally give Michael Penix Jr. his first opportunity as the starting quarterback.

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Photographer: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire