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Atlanta Falcons fans believe the team should turn to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after Kirk Cousins struggled in Week 1. Atlanta signed Cousins in free agency to be their starting QB. However, he did not look like himself as he returned from a torn Achilles on Sunday.
Cousins was not very mobile, finishing the 18-10 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home with 16 completions on 26 attempts for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His play has led to speculation about his health.
It was a lackluster performance, and heading into Week 2, Falcons fans are calling for Penix Jr. to start.
"Did you also notice the velocity on his ball down? I thought the arm strength looked gone, which can possibly of course, be attributed to the lower body injury still bothering him," a fan wrote.
"Big Penix time," a fan wrote.
"If he the same way 2nd game. Gotta sit him down," a fan added.
Michael Penix Jr. was selected eighth overall by Atlanta in the 2024 NFL draft and would be making his first NFL regular-season appearance if he replaces Cousins.
"Back foot is just dangling on all his throws," another fan said.
"Michael Penix Jr stay ready," a fan added.
"Reason they drafted Penix. Kirk definitely not 100% on top of the mental block he gotta get over," a fan wrote.
Atlanta is going on the road to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night in Week 2.
Falcons coach says Kirk Cousins is healthy
After Kirk Cousins' poor performance in Week 1, many fans and analysts thought he was still injured. However, Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris said:
"I feel like Kirk is healthy. He's been healthy since he's been here." [H/T ESPN]
Instead, Morris said Cousins was likely dealing with rust after not playing a regular-season game in several months.
"With Kirk being here, we've been doing the same thing since he's been here, and that's how we've planned on playing and we've played that way throughout," Morris said. "We've played that way for a minute, and we've done a bunch of different things in our case and everything we're going to do is figuring out how to win this football game." [H/T ESPN]
Kirk Cousins is in the first year of a four-year, $180 million contract.
