The Atlanta Falcons had been picked by many coming into this season to complete first within the NFC South, however after beginning 6-3, they’ve misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games.
Whereas they beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 15-9, on Sunday, it hardly did something to alleviate the considerations they’ve been going through.
Atlanta has now determined to bench beginning quarterback Kirk Cousins and hand the offense over, no less than for now, to rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Tight finish Kyle Pitts mentioned he was stunned by the quarterback swap.
“I didn’t assume it might have occurred this early or now,” he mentioned.
This is the video of Kyle Pitts on why the QB change was a ‘shock’ to him. #Falcons https://t.co/p4RZlk4hMU pic.twitter.com/NpP4IXgxwp
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) December 18, 2024
Cousins, who’s 36 years of age, was signed by Atlanta to a four-year, $180 million contract in the course of the offseason.
He has made the Professional Bowl 4 occasions, however he was coming off a torn Achilles he suffered halfway by final season and is now 36 years of age.
After signing Cousins, the Falcons then drafted Penix out of the College of Washington with the No. 8 choose on this 12 months’s draft, which led many to scratch their heads and marvel what the franchise was doing.
Others, nonetheless, felt that the Falcons had been establishing a succession plan, particularly contemplating Cousins’ damage and general mileage.
By way of 14 video games, Cousins has thrown for a powerful 3,508 yards, however he has an NFL-high 16 interceptions, and he threw 4 picks on Dec. 1 versus the Los Angeles Chargers.
Penix was sensational at Washington final 12 months, main the NCAA with 4,903 passing yards and throwing 36 landing passes, however he has now been put in the midst of a decent race for the division title.
Atlanta has a 7-7 report and trails the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers by one sport, however they do maintain the tiebreaker by beating the Buccaneers twice this 12 months.
The put up Falcons Star Admits He’s Shocked About QB Change appeared first on The Chilly Wire.
