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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced his decision to bench veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. for the team's Week 16 game against the New York Giants on Sunday (December 22).
"After review we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward," head coach Raheem Morris said in the statement shared on the Falcons' website Tuesday (December 17) evening. "This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants."
Morris fielded questions about his potential quarterback decision earlier in the day and reiterated that he wanted to see more from he position. Cousins, 36, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in March, has gone 7-7 in 14 games as Atlanta's starter, which includes throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, including nine in each of his last five games.
Penix, 24, the Maxwell Award winner, a first-team All-American and the Heisman runner-up in 2023, was selected by the Falcons at No. 8 overall, a move that was criticized at the time given the franchise's expensive investment in Cousins just one month prior. The former Washington standout has thrown for 38 yards on 3 of 5 passing in limited action during his rookie season.