December means holiday season, cuffing season, and, for NFL fans, quarterback controversy season. The wheels for 2024’s latest quarterback controversy were set in motion on April 25, when the Atlanta Falcons used their eighth overall pick on University of Washington signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. ($4,500).
Since Penix’s selection, it seemed to be only a matter of time before he would eventually take the reins from veteran Kirk Cousins ($5,500), who the Falcons inked to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason. The pick made ripples in the NFL community, ripples that have grown in magnitude given Cousins’ recent struggles. Atlanta’s 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday was quite possibly the worst game of Cousins’ career, as he threw four interceptions and zero touchdown passes.
Undoubtedly, turning to Penix now would be a risky move for the Falcons, who are still tied atop the NFC South standings with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6-6. The gunslinging southpaw has attempted just five passes in his NFL career, all in blowout losses to the Seattle Seahawks on October 20 and the Denver Broncos on November 17. It might be a rude awakening to throw Penix into the fire on December 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, who lead the league with 18 interceptions. Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris has shown no indication that he plans to make such a change, citing his confidence in Cousins’ ability to bounce back.
Still, the Falcons did not draft Penix eighth overall for no reason. Across two seasons at Washington, he completed 65.3% of his passes and threw 67 touchdown passes, leading the Huskies to within one win of a national title in 2023. Despite the team’s financial commitment to Cousins, Penix will get his shot at some point. Next Sunday against the Vikings seems unlikely, given Atlanta’s position in the standings and the strength of the Minnesota secondary, but if Cousins and the Falcons continue to slide, his seat will only get hotter.
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