Falcons to start Penix vs. Giants

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix will start Sunday against the New York Giants, the team announced Tuesday.

The move will send Kirk Cousins to the bench after the veteran went 1-4 with one touchdown and eight interceptions in his last five games. Atlanta selected Penix eighth overall in the 2024 draft despite adding Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the offseason.

“After review, we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward,” head coach Raheem Morris said in a statement.

“This was a football decision, and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”

Morris wouldn’t commit to Cousins as the starting signal-caller Tuesday when speaking to reporters. The head boss said in previous weeks that the club would stick with Cousins, but things changed after Monday’s 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“We didn’t play particularly well at the quarterback position,” Morris said. “We didn’t play well (Monday) at that spot. I like to be open and honest about those things.”

He added: “It’s always going to be those questions marks. It’s always going to be those question marks when it comes to head coach, when it comes to the quarterback.”

Cousins completed 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception against Las Vegas. The 36-year-old posted a 9.0 quarterback rating, the lowest mark he’s had in a game this season, according to ESPN.