The Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL world within the 2024 NFL Draft once they chosen quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with their first-round decide, simply weeks after signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Now that we’re into December, it’s wanting like the choice to pick out Penix Jr. may need been some good long-term planning, whereas the choice to signal Cousins was a short-term miss.
Cousins was depressing in Sunday’s recreation, finishing 24-of-39 passes for 245 yards and throwing 4 interceptions.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris rejected the idea of benching Cousins for Penix Jr. after the sport, saying he absolutely believes that Cousins will bounce again.
He may legitimately imagine that. Cousins may also bounce again. Nevertheless it shouldn’t be an thought that’s fully dismissed that shortly. Going to Penix Jr. shouldn’t solely be one thing that’s checked out; it is perhaps one thing that’s in one of the best curiosity of the crew proper now.
It was not simply the variety of interceptions from Cousins on Sunday that had been expensive. It was the timing of them in addition to the outcome.
He threw a brutal pick-six to Tarheeb Nonetheless within the third quarter that gave the Chargers a 17-10 lead.
Not solely was {that a} unhealthy determination, however the entire thing gave the impression to be taking place in sluggish movement whereas the move had no juice behind it.
That was not even his ugliest interception of the day.
That got here only a few minutes later within the fourth quarter when he simply lobbed a desperation move up into site visitors ultimately zone.
That simply can’t occur in that scenario.
The Falcons introduced in Cousins with the intent of competing for the NFC South and making the playoffs this season. They nonetheless have an opportunity to try this, even with a 6-6 file. However Cousins’ play has been extremely erratic this season and is trending within the unsuitable path as we get later into it.
After Sunday’s efficiency, he has not had a landing move in three consecutive video games whereas additionally being intercepted six occasions in these video games.
The Falcons have misplaced all three of them.
Cousins has performed 12 video games this season and has had a passer score of beneath 90.0 in seven of them, together with six video games the place it has been beneath 80.0. That’s merely not profitable soccer.
The Falcons needed to know that Cousins was not going to be a real long-term reply once they willingly took a quarterback within the first spherical. Proper now, Cousins shouldn’t be even enjoying like he’s the short-term reply. Persevering with to disregard that might be hurting their possibilities to win the NFC South.
