The Atlanta Falcons replaced veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins with rookie Michael Penix Jr. toward the end of last season. Both quarterbacks remain on Atlanta’s roster, but Penix Jr. opened the season firmly entrenched as the Falcons’ starter moving forward.
Then, Sunday happened. Penix Jr. went 18/36, throwing the ball for only 172 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions to boot. The performance led many to believe that Atlanta would turn back to Cousins.
On Wednesday, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris addressed the situation between Cousins and Penix Jr.
“Kirk lost his job last year. We’re not even close to that with Mike. He had a bad game,” Morris said, according to Underdog NFL.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Kirko Chains will gladly sit and collect all that money Raheem and your livelihood depends on that. Don’t lose your job in the process,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“You drafted a QB 8 overall and he has one clunker in like 7 starts and people are calling it curtains on his career,” someone else added.
“Can anyone show me a good game that he’s had? He shouldn’t be starting right now,” one fan wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see how long a leash Morris and the Falcons give Penix.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.