The Atlanta Falcons replaced starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with veteran backup Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter of their 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris was asked during his postgame news conference whether that was a sign the team would allow Cousins to battle for the team’s starting job moving forward.
‘No,’ Morris replied, matter-of-factly.
Cousins’ status with the Falcons has been under scrutiny since he was benched at the end of the 2024 NFL season in favor of Penix. Many believed the Falcons would consider trading the 37-year-old, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract during the 2024 offseason.
Instead, Atlanta kept Cousins to back up Penix. Morris indicated the Falcons would like to see the veteran remain in that role and he had only been granted a chance to play because Atlanta was trailing by so much against Carolina.
‘The game was out of hand,’ the coach said. ‘You know, you move on. Keep ’em out of harm’s way, keep our guys out of harm’s way.’
Morris noted Penix wasn’t the only player to come out of the game. The Falcons also let some of their depth receivers get action while undrafted rookie Nathan Carter saw the bulk of the rushing workload at the end of the game.
Morris also intimated the team still wanted to give Penix, who made just his sixth start Sunday, more time to show what he can do.
‘I just think he missed his throws today,’ Morris said, breaking down Penix’s performance. ‘We won’t make excuses. We won’t have any excuses about anything mechanical or anything of that nature. We did not play well on any phase, and he did not play well as well. We didn’t play well around him and we gotta play better across the board.’