“120 million wasted!” – Falcons naming Michael Penix Jr. as starter after benching Kirk Cousins has fans losing it on social media
Kirk Cousins was always on the hook after the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall this season.
Follow Us
The Atlanta Falcons have benched Kirk Cousins and will start Michael Penix Jr. (Image via Bleacher Report/Yahoo Sports/X)
The Kirk Cousins experiment with the Atlanta Falcons seems to be over. After handing him a $180 million contract this past offseason, they expected him to mentor Michael Penix Jr. at least for a couple of seasons. But nine interceptions in his past five games seem to be the final nail.
Almost at the half-way point in this season, the Falcons stood at a commendable 6-3 record. In those games were some memorable wins, such as the overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, he kept calm and drove his Falcons to score in those final minutes to push the game to overtime and then eventually win.
But then, the Falcons lost their next four games as he threw eight interceptions to playoff caliber teams. That brought up questions about his ability to lead them into the playoffs. But the final nail in the coffin was after his horrendous outing against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders.
In that game, Kirk Cousins threw for just 112 yards and ended up with one of his worst QBR’s of his career. The franchise probably saw enough proof to finally take a decision even though they were non-committal leading up to today. Now Insider Ian Rapoport took to X to reveal their decision.
The Falcons are making a major change, as Michael Penix Jr is expected to take over at QB, with Kirk Cousins going the bench. Atlanta is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and Cousins has struggled mightily. Now, Penix takes over.
Ian Rapoport on X
? ? ?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2024
The #Falcons are making a major change, as Michael Penix Jr is expected to take over at QB, with Kirk Cousins going the bench.
Atlanta is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and Cousins has struggled mightily. Now, Penix takes over. pic.twitter.com/xTPLBovmOd
With this decision, the Atlanta Falcons have handed their playoff hopes into the hands of their first round pick, Michael Penix Jr.. He has two favorable matchups against the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers to get the job done.
Fans lose their minds after Kirk Cousins experiment fails
If Michael Penix Jr. leads the Atlanta Falcons into the playoffs, this decision will look justified. But where fans have a problem with is the timing of the decision. They feel the franchise should not have paid Kirk Cousins that massive contract to start with, if they were going to draft a QB. Secondly, the delay in changing the quarterback also seems to have ticked off fans.
They welcomed this decision but also took the opportunity to give their opinions on this news on social media. Check out some examples of those opinions below.
120 MILLION WASTED
— ??? ??????? ????? ? (@the_det_times) December 18, 2024
Falcons paid Kirk Cousins $180M.
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) December 18, 2024
They got hit with tampering chargers.
They just benched him for Penix.
Good lord man.
Atlanta signing an injury-recovering Cousins to a monster deal then immediately drafting Penix remains one of the worst and most puzzling decisions a franchise has made in the history of the NFL
— DJ (@DJM_73) December 18, 2024
Kirk Cousins had a deal on the table with the Minnesota Vikings for roughly $35m/year. He turned it down for nearly $50m/year and because the Vikes told him they were going to draft a rookie QB.
— Dillon Valdez (@Dillon_Valdez) December 18, 2024
Fast forward and to think his ego got the best of him.
Kirk Cousins was never a good QB, he benefited from playing with Diggs, Thielan, Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson.
— ?? (@ZackCadceed) December 18, 2024
100 million guaranteed to Cousins ?
— Owfi ~ FOOTBALL SZN ? (@Owfi5) December 18, 2024
Call him Kirk Thuggins because that's straight robbery.
Kirk drove me nuts in Minnesota. Like going to a strip club. You get all excited, then go home letdown, reeking of booze and covered in glitter perfume (or whatever the hell that is)
— the worm (@wormsforbrains) December 18, 2024
cousins is going to retire at 40ish having made 400m in the NFL and never having been a top 10 QB in the NFL.. dude beat the system
— Mark (@flemgoblue) December 18, 2024
About time ?️?️ he hadn’t thrown a TD since week 9 before Monday nights game. I mean they gave him that $180+ gtd leash
— 8 way or NO WAY?‼️ (@Therego_Deee) December 18, 2024
If the Atlanta Falcons waive Kirk Cousins after this season, they will still have to pay him $27.5 million in guaranteed money. But they could try and recoup some draft capital if they could trade him to another franchise.
Stay Updated!
Joseph Varghese
(2268 Articles Published)