Falcons bench Kirk Cousins for Michael Penix Jr. in NFL stunner

The Falcons are going to the bullpen.

Atlanta announced Tuesday that Michael Penix Jr. has earned the starting quarterback job over a struggling Kirk Cousins, with head coach Raheem Morris calling the move a “football decision.”

While the Falcons were able to leave Las Vegas with a victory on Monday night, Cousins’ productivity has lagged in recent weeks.

After bluntly saying that Cousins needs to play better during media availability following the game, Morris was asked point-blank on Tuesday if Cousins would remain the starting quarterback.

He neglected to give him a vote of confidence.

Michael Penix Jr. is the new starting QB for the Falcons. Getty Images

Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs off the field after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in the game at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. — Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons runs off the field after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in the game at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images

“We just got back. We still have to go through that process,” Morris said. “All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position.”

Cousins threw for just 112 yards on Monday — only 6.6 yards per attempt.

In the last five games combined, he has thrown one touchdown and nine interceptions.

The Falcons shocked the world by drafting Penix in the first round of the NFL draft earlier this year — with the Giants pᴀssing on the Washington product to take Malik Nabers with the No. 6-overall pick — after signing Cousins to a deal worth up to $180 million earlier in the offseason.

Head coach Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — Head coach Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images

Morris acknowledged that Cousins has lost some of his confidence amid his struggles.

“There are ways to get it back,” Morris said. “That’s our job. That’s everybody’s job. We all need support at some point. We have to play better at that position.”

The silver lining for the 7-7 Falcons is that they are just one game behind the 8-6 Bucaneerss for the top spot in the NFC South.

The Falcons hold the tie-breaker over the Bucs, as Atlanta swept the season series.

Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins #18 and Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons look on during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. — Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons look on during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Getty Images

After Monday night’s game, Morris was clearly dissatisfied with Cousins’ play.

“He’s got to play better and obviously, you got to go back, you got to get to look at everything,” he told reporters. “But he wants to play better. He’s got to play better. We’ve got to find a way to get him to play better.”

Cousins was aware that his play must improve.

“I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better,” the quarterback said. “Raheem says it, but it’s stating the obvious, and every week you kind of go through your process and you plan to go out there and play the very best you can. And so, this week will be no different.”