Kirk Cousins is axed by the Falcons simply 9 months into $180m cope with Michael Penix Jr named beginning QB

The Atlanta Falcons have made a significant roster change – deciding to bench beginning quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., in response to NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport.

With Atlanta within the midst of a playoff hunt – at present one sport out of the lead for the NFC South – first-year head coach Raheem Morris has determined handy the reigns over to the rookie out of the College of Washington.

Cousins has been struggling in current weeks as his transition from Minnesota to Atlanta has not gone easily. With cries from the fanbase to make a change, Morris pulled the set off and can now begin Penix when the Falcons host the New York Giants this week.

It makes the Falcons’ choice to signal the 36-year-old Cousins in the summertime look even worse now than it did on the time his contract was agreed to.

Cousins’ four-year, $180million deal was lambasted on the time the Falcons introduced it – particularly when contemplating that $100m of that was assured cash.

Now, with the primary season of that contract not even completed, Penix has been inserted into the beginning position at a time the place the Falcons doubtless have to win out in an effort to attain the playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons have made the choice to bench beginning quarterback Kirk Cousins

In his place will step rookie sign caller Michael Penix Jr., who the staff took eighth general

Cousins at present ranks seventh within the NFL in passing yards (3,508) and thirteenth in completion share.

However his touchdown-to-interception ratio of 18-16 ranks horribly in comparison with different NFL starters, particularly in terms of groups in playoff competition.

The choice comes after Cousins’ totally unimpressive efficiency towards one of many league’s worst groups: the Las Vegas Raiders.

On Monday Night time Soccer, Cousins solely accomplished 11-of-17 passes for 112 yards, one landing, and one interception in an unsightly 15-9 win.

Earlier on Tuesday, Morris publicly criticized Cousins for his poor performances.

‘He is received to play higher and clearly, you bought to return, you bought to get to have a look at all the things,’ Morris informed reporters. ‘However he needs to play higher. He is received to play higher. We have got to discover a technique to get him to play higher.’

Penix was taken with the eighth general choose on this yr’s NFL draft after a university marketing campaign that ended with him main the Washington Huskies to the nationwide championship sport – the place they fell to the Michigan Wolverines.

The Falcons shocked analysts and followers after they picked Penix – particularly because it got here a couple of month after they signed Cousins.

Cousins put up an terrible efficiency on Monday Night time Soccer towards the Las Vegas Raiders

Towards a staff he ought to’ve simply dealt with, he handed for 112 yards, a TD and an interception

Cousins himself admitted he was ‘surprised’ when the group drafted the rookie. Now, that call appears to be like to have paid off for the Falcons. 

In accordance with Spotrac, the Falcons have a possible out in 2026 that can go away them with $35million in lifeless cap house ought to they resolve to half methods with cousins.

If Cousins is one way or the other on the roster in 2026, he will get a $10m bonus. The identical bonus kicks in if he is on the roster in 2027. 

Cousins’ deal additionally features a full no-trade clause. 

He at present earns a base wage of $12.5million this season, which escalates to $27.5m subsequent season.

Atlanta (7-7) has a combined bag within the remaining three video games of their season. 

They host the Giants subsequent week and the Carolina Panthers of their remaining sport of the marketing campaign – with a troublesome street journey to the Washington Commanders sandwiched in-between.

The staff main the division – the 8-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – have a a lot simpler path to the division title. 

The choice to take Penix eighth general, which was questioned on the time, appears to have paid off for Atlanta – as they give the impression of being to make a playoff push with three video games to go

The Bucs play their remaining street sport of the common season this week towards the struggling Dallas Cowboys earlier than internet hosting the Panthers, then the New Orleans Saints.

With Tampa Bay favored to win all three of these video games, it means the Falcons might must hope for a Wild Card berth. 

Presently, Atlanta sits ninth within the NFC playoff image – behind the eighth place Seattle Seahawks and the seventh-place Commanders within the remaining Wild Card spot.

In accordance with ESPN, the Falcons have a 29 % probability of creating the playoffs. 

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