Michael Penix Jr. (Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons have decided to formally put an end to the Kirk Cousins project by replacing him with Michael Penix Jr. The team released a statement late Tuesday that read “After review we have made the decision Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward. This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”
Cousins is 36 years old and is leading the league in interceptions with 16. It’s often a sign it’s time to hang it up when you lead the league in bad stats.
Cousins made out like a bandit
But why hang it up when you can sit down and get paid? He is set for life with the way he managed his contract. Before the season he signed a four-year $180 million contract, with $100 million guaranteed. He also got $50 million up front. That should ink him in as the most expensive backup quarterback in history. It’s almost inconceivable how they can recover from that. Unless some desperate team is willing to take on that contract. A trade where the Falcons absorb some of that salary is the likely outcome.
Many considered the Falcons a contender going into the season. But they’re currently sitting at 7-7 and on the bubble in the playoff picture. It means they’re not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. It probably also means they don’t care if they make it or not. It’s likely about getting Penix ready for next season.
And it’s the perfect game to introduce him as the starter. The New York Giants are a team he is likely to win against, giving him confidence right out of the gate. If he loses the game he’s certainly young enough and resilient enough to recover from it. That’s what they call a win-win… after of course the unapologetic $100 million slap in the face loss all the fans get to stew on.
