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NFL World Loudly Calls For Falcons to Bench Kirk Cousins, Play Michael Penix Jr.
The NFL world appears done with Kirk Cousins.
On Sunday, after yet another dismal performance, NFL fans and experts once again called on the Atlanta Falcons to bench Cousins and start rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins looked awful against his former team as the Minnesota Vikings intercepted him twice in a 42-21 win over Atlanta. It raised Cousins's interception total to eight in his last four games with no touchdown passes in that span. With Penix on the bench, there is an obvious replacement at the ready and NFL fans want to see what the rookie can do.
Put Penix in. pic.twitter.com/DveII8WvOp
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) December 8, 2024
Make it stop. Give us Penix. pic.twitter.com/motmXkUpEA
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) December 8, 2024
It might be Michael Penix time.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 8, 2024
Kirk Cousins has 8 INT’s in his last 4 games….how can you not at least entertain the idea of Michael Penix Jr?
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 8, 2024
Penix should 100% start next week, and every game the rest of the season
— John Michaels (@JohnMichaelsU) December 8, 2024
It’s damn near impossible to go well over a month without throwing a TD pass and still be a starting QB in the NFL
MICHAEL PENIX PLEASE
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) December 8, 2024
The Falcons signed Cousins away from the Vikings this offseason, handing him a four-year, $180 million deal that included $100 million in guaranteed money. Then they shocked everyone by selecting Penix with the eighth pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. As soon as they did that, a quarterback controversy was inevitable.
Cousins hasn't been good enough this season, and the last four weeks have been his worst of the year. He punctuated it on Sunday against his former team, completing 23 of 37 passes for 344 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. On the season, he has now thrown 17 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions.
It's time for the Falcons to give Penix a look.
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Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.