Michael Penix Jr. Shares Thoughts on Kirk Cousins and Falcons’ Offensive Performance in Loss to Steelers
Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. defended veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and the team’s offensive performance following their Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In an interview with Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Penix praised Cousins for staying “calm and collected throughout the whole game.” He also noted that the offense performed better than the final score indicated, saying:
“We had a lot in our game plan that we wish we could have executed better, but it’s never as good or as bad as you think when you go back and review it. We missed some opportunities, but we also executed a lot of things that people outside the organization might not notice.”
The Falcons lost 18-10 at home in Cousins’ first regular-season game since his Achilles injury in 2023 with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his age and injury history, the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason.
Cousins had a rough start, completing 16-of-26 passes for 155 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Falcons’ offense struggled, producing only 226 total yards against the Steelers’ formidable defense, a number that must improve in the coming weeks.
Atlanta raised eyebrows when they selected Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, despite already investing in Cousins. Penix provides a potential future option, but for now, Cousins remains the starter as the Falcons seek to meet the high expectations for a turnaround under new head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
It’s too early to predict a decline for Cousins after several successful seasons in Minnesota, leaving Penix in a backup role for the time being.
The Falcons likely hope they won’t have to consider starting Penix for at least another three years, but his presence could increase the pressure on Cousins to deliver.
Cousins, a seasoned veteran who has experienced his share of highs and lows, is unlikely to be rattled by a single poor performance.
In Week 2, the Falcons face a challenging road game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, though Cousins might find opportunities to exploit a Philadelphia secondary with some lingering questions.
