Falcons HC Raheem Morris explains Kirk Cousins' reaction to being benched for Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris revealed quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ reaction to being benched for Michael Penix Jr. While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Morris said Cousins was disappointed with the decision, but he is “a pro, he’s a great human, a great father, a great football player.

Morris added, “He handled it with class. I can’t say enough good things about who the man is.” Morris added that Cousins will be the Falcons’ No. 2 quarterback for the team’s upcoming game against the New York Giants. The decision comes after Cousins threw just one touchdown and nine interceptions in the last five games.

On Monday night, the Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9, but Cousins had an underwhelming performance. The former Michigan State star threw a season-low 17 passes for another season-low 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Cousins has thrown an NFL-leading 16 interceptions this season, the highest total in his career.

“I think I can play better. I don’t think that’s a mystery,” Cousins told reporters after the game, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better. That’s when Raheem says it, that’s stating the obvious. Every week you go through your process and plan to play the very best that you can. So this week will be no different.”

More on Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.

Before Morris decided to bench Kirk Cousins for Michael Penix Jr. he talked about issues at the quarterback position. “We didn’t play well (Monday) at that spot. I like to be open and honest about those things,” Morris said, per the Falcons’ official website. “It’s always going to be those question marks. It’s always going to be those question marks when it comes to head coach, when it comes to the quarterback. And you got to be really transparent about it. We got to play better. I think that’s the thing that’s got to be put out there, that we got to play better, and that’s the thing that’s got to be addressed.”

The Falcons selected Penix at No. 8 overall in this year’s draft. In 2023, Penix was one of the best college football players in the country, throwing for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns for the Washington Huskies. Because of his production last season, Penix was named a First-team All-American and won the Maxwell Award.