The Falcons Stick with Cousins Despite Struggles
The Atlanta Falcons are in the midst of a challenging season, marked by a four-game losing streak that has put them out of the NFC South lead. Yet, despite the adversity, Head Coach Raheem Morris has made it clear that the team has no plans to bench veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta this offseason, has faced a difficult stretch. Over his last four outings, he has completed 63.1% of his passes, amassing 762 yards but failing to throw a single touchdown, while being intercepted seven times. His passer rating during this period has plummeted to 57.2, reflecting the team's offensive woes.
The Falcons, once comfortably above .500, now find themselves struggling to stay competitive. While this has led to external speculation about a possible change under center, Morris has been adamant that no such discussions have occurred internally. "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback," he asserted following the team's Week 14 loss.
Cousins' performance has been notably polarized; the quarterback is 5-1 against opponents with a .500 record or below but has managed just a single win against teams with a winning record this season. This inconsistency has contributed to the Falcons' slide, raising questions about whether a fresh face at quarterback could provide a spark.
Michael Penix Jr., selected eighth overall in the draft, represents the future for Atlanta. However, Coach Morris underscores that the team is not yet prepared to rely on the rookie. "We'll have the ability to go watch this tape like we do every single week," Morris elaborated. "Kirk played significantly better than he did the week before. We have a chance to go out there and focus on us and get a chance to go out there and really work on what we do and what we do well, and we'll do whatever is best to go win football games, and Kirk is definitely a part of that."
The commitment to Cousins is not without its pressures. His substantial contract makes him a significant investment for the franchise, one that the Falcons are evidently keen to see pay off. Yet, as the losses mount, the scrutiny on both Cousins and the decision to keep him as the starter will only intensify.
For now, the focus remains on stabilizing the team's performance and breaking their losing streak. The Falcons, under Morris's guidance, will aim to address the issues plaguing their play and find a path back to winning ways. Cousins, with his experience and considerable skill set, will be central to any resurgence.
In the world of professional sports, particularly in a high-stakes league like the NFL, patience is often in short supply. However, by standing firm with Cousins, the Falcons are placing their trust in an established quarterback with a proven track record, albeit one currently clouded by a rough patch. As the season continues, the spotlight on Atlanta will only grow brighter, and how they respond will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.