The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a disastrous Week 3 performance on the road against the Carolina Panthers, where they were blown out 30-0. To make matters worse, the quarterback controversy between Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins has resurfaced.
After Penix threw his second interception of the game late in the third quarter, head coach Raheem Morris turned to veteran Kirk Cousins to start the fourth. That, of course, sparked speculation as to whether Cousins would be considered to start against the Washington Commanders in Week 4.
In his Week 3 “overreactions or reality” piece, CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr wrote that it’s not an overreaction at all for the Falcons to consider giving Cousins another shot.
“Penix was awful, completing just 18 of 36 passes for 178 yards and two interceptions (40.5 rating). This was Penix’s first multiple-interception game in the NFL, but he hasn’t been good in his three games this season — completing just 58.6% of his passes for a 78.3 rating,” Kerr wrote.
“Penix will likely get the start next week, but they should give the $180 million backup an opportunity to win his job back — more than a full year after rupturing his Achilles. Cousins may give the Falcons a spark on offense, which they really haven’t had all year.”
Raheem Morris Won’t Let Kirk Cousins Compete For Starting QB Job
Morris had some explaining to do after replacing Penix with Cousins. He said the move was due to the unfortunate circumstances of the game.
“The game was out of hand,” Morris said after the Panthers loss. “You move on, keep him out of harm’s way. Keep our guys out of harm’s way. The game’s out of hand; they got us.”
When asked if Cousins could compete for his old job, Morris emphatically replied, “No.”
Something has to change with the Falcons’ offense, though. Through three games of the 2025 season, they have outgained opponents by 334 yards, the third-most in the NFL, according to Falcons Wire’s Scott Kennedy. Yet, they are 1-2, while teams ahead of and behind them in this category have winning records. Atlanta ranks 21st in scoring offense, averaging 21 points per game with just three offensive touchdowns.
Michael Penix Jr. Knows He Was Bad Against Panthers
Before Cousins entered, Penix completed 18 of 36 passes for 172 yards with no scores and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Penix admitted his struggles, noting that he wasn’t prepared for some of the defensive looks Carolina presented.
“Some of it, the defense, they had good looks, and they just gave a good look, and I wasn’t prepared for it, which I have to be. But, at the end of the day, I’ve got to make those plays. I’ve got to find my guys that’s open. We just got to execute better as a whole.
“I felt good. You just can’t miss. You can’t miss, man. It’s the best. We’re playing the best of the best. And I’ve got to make sure I give my guys opportunities to make plays. I did mess up on that at times during the game.”