Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris admitted during his Wednesday media availability that he was surprised to find himself in the position of making a quarterback change considering how this year’s played out.
“We were playing extremely well,” he said. “So I’d be telling you a story if I didn’t tell you I was surprised right now how the last couple of weeks have gone and how we haven’t been able to turn around and play a little bit better at the position in order to keep things going how we had.”
The Falcons benched starting quarterback Kirk Cousins on Tuesday and announced rookie Michael Penix Jr. as the new starter. The decision came after Atlanta signed Cousins to a 4-year, $180 million contract in March and he began this season leading what was a top offense in the NFL.
“You got to adapt. You gotta adjust. You gotta persist,” Morris said of the decision. “You got to deal and keep it moving, and that’s just what we’re doing.”
The move came a day after the Falcons snapped a four-game losing streak to improve to 7-7 and remain in the hunt for the NFC South championship. However, Cousins’ form in the victory seemed to match what Falcons coaches saw in the previous four games.
GO DEEPER
Falcons bench Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. amid struggles
Over the last five games, Cousins threw nine interceptions and one touchdown and ranked 33rd in the league in expected points added per dropback (minus-.14).
Morris said the Falcons hoped Cousins would find a way to improve, but the team needed to make a change in order to continue their push for the postseason.
“I had a lot of confidence that we would play better,” Morris said. “I had a lot of confidence that we would do better at the position. … I had a lot of confidence that he would get back to his form, and we just didn’t, you know, for whatever reasons. And we have to figure those things out.
“We’ll have a deep dive into those situations, obviously when it’s all said and done, but right now really focus on winning versus the Giants.”
Morris said Cousins will be Penix’s backup in the Week 16 matchup against New York and that, so far, he’s handled the demotion professionally.
“I talked with him last night and, you know, obviously, wasn’t always the best time to talk about it. But he definitely expressed to me (he) was gonna be the best No. 2 quarterback in the National Football League.”
Required reading
(Photo of Michael Penix Jr.: Ian Maule / Getty Images)
