The Atlanta Falcons are coming off their sixth loss of the season Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite their 6-6 record, the Falcons are doing their best T.I. impression of currently being the “Kings of the South,” yet fans have been split the past few weeks on who exactly should be the starting quarterback. Atlanta had an interesting offseason, bringing in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings.
They then had everyone scratching their heads by drafting Washington Huskies Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection. Now A-Town fans are debating which quarterback should start for the remainder of the season.
Atlanta Falcons Starting QB Dilemma
It may not look pretty, but the Atlanta Falcons are the NFC South division leader at 6-6 after Week 13 despite a three-game losing streak. The Falcons signed Quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason for a 4-year 180 million dollar deal. In this current losing streak, Cousins has thrown 6 interceptions and no touchdowns. This not only has fans concerned about the well-being of the team but also has them questioning if the team should move forward without Cousins as the starter.
The team used their first-round draft pick on Michael Penix Jr. and experts around the league were baffled by the move almost immediately after signing the veteran quarterback. The rookie quarterback has seen limited time entering games on two occasions.
Penix Jr. led the Washington Huskies to the National Championship Game against those cheating Michigan Wolverines in his final season in college. Penix was a projected first-round pick but was surprisingly taken by the Atlanta Falcons. The idea was for him to sit behind the veteran Cousins to learn and mold the young quarterback. With the team’s current struggles, they may look to make a move sooner rather than later.
Who Should Start For the Falcons?
The answer is pretty simple. The answer is Kirk Cousins. The Atlanta Falcons brought Cousins in to win the NFC South, and they are currently tied in first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hold the tiebreaker over Tampa. As long as Atlanta is in first place they need to ride with Cousins. He may have struggled in the past few weeks but there is a reason why they gave him a big contract. The team is also positioned to make the playoffs with a favorable upcoming schedule.
Three of the remaining games on the schedule are versus some of the bottom feeders in the league. A Raiders team that lost their quarterback and star receiver earlier this season, a Giants team that is in disarray, and a division game against an improved Bryce Young. This week Cousins will take on his former Vikings team which should add some extra motivation.
If the Atlanta Falcons slip out of contention then they should consider bringing in the rookie to get some reps. Cousins hasn’t been known for his primetime performances but the veteran QB gives the team the best chance to win. Rookies usually don’t take the league by storm like Jayden Daniels or CJ Stroud. They usually need some time under their belts and they usually go through the struggles of being a rookie. With a playoff push on the horizon, it wouldn’t be the best decision to take out a proven commodity.
Final Thoughts
Penix Jr. has a bright future with a young, talented core in Atlanta, but the time isn’t quite now. It would be irresponsible for the Atlanta Falcons to put a rookie quarterback who has never started a game in the NFL to replace Cousins. Now it is a different story if the team slips out of playoff contention.
The move could damage the rookie’s confidence if it doesn’t go well, and could destroy the relationship between Cousins and the organization. Cousins may be on a cold streak but he has a track record of being a solid quarterback in the league. Could things be better? Yes, but you still control your destiny in the NFC South!
