Kirk Cousins's Awful Performance vs. Chargers Leaves Fans Calling For Michael Penix Jr.

Ryan Phillips | Dec 1, 2024

Cousins has thrown 13 interceptions in his first season with the Falcons. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins was terrible on Sunday, leaving the NFL world to collectively call for his job.

The Atlanta Falcons lost the Los Angeles Chargers 17-13, and their quarterback play was the reason for the defeat. Cousins was brutal during the game, throwing four interceptions including a pick-six, but his worst throw of the day came in the fourth quarter, lobbing a ball into quadruple coverage in the end zone.

What the heck is Kirk Cousins thinking on this one?? pic.twitter.com/92rafr8tay

— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) December 1, 2024

Just...why?

The Falcons got the ball back quickly after that interception, giving Cousins one last chance at redemption if he were able to lead a game-winning drive. Instead, he capped off the day with one more pick.

CHARGERS' FOURTH INT SEALS THE GAME. #LACvsATL pic.twitter.com/NoVPVcAHX3

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

Cousins's terrible showing left Falcons fans and the NFL world calling for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to take over.

It’s time FREE PENIX #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/ZSj5fAhdC1

— Exceed (@TBExceed) December 1, 2024

Man make it stop.

Give us Penix Jr. if Bo Nix can do it in Denver, Penix can do it with all these weapons in Atlanta. https://t.co/q8W1JGKCEp

— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) December 1, 2024

It's time to play Michael Penix Jr.

This is impossibly bad.

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) December 1, 2024

Kirk Cousins just played himself out of the game. Penix deserves a shot and if he plays well, let him run the show.

— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 1, 2024

HORRIBLE

WE WANT PENIX pic.twitter.com/gCckZ1GV2s https://t.co/RlqL7ka19r

— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) December 1, 2024

You have to look at Penix now. I have no clue what Cousins is doing.

— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) December 1, 2024

The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason with $100 million in guaranteed money. Then they drafted Penix with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL draft. By doing so, they were just begging for a quarterback controversy to develop over the course of the season.

Well, they have one.

Cousins has not lived up to that contract in his first season with the franchise. Entering Sunday he had completed 68.1% of his passes for 2,807 yards, with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His QBR of 56.8 ranked 20th in the NFL and his passer rating of 96.6 is average at best. Adding four more picks to that math on Sunday didn’t help.

Penix has seen action in two games this season and has completed 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards. At this point, it's hard to believe the 24-year-old would be worse than Cousins.

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