ATLANTA — A day after the Atlanta Falcons announced the decision to have rookie Michael Penix Jr. be the starting quarterback over veteran Kirk Cousins, both men, along with Head Coach Raheem Morris, talked to the media about the change Wednesday.
The news about the switch-up came Tuesday evening. Morris shared in a statement this was “a football decision," saying the team is focused on preparing to face the New York Giants on Sunday.
"There's a standard that I have for myself and that the team has for me that unfortunately, I wasn't playing up to that standard consistently enough and so, it is what it is," Cousins said Wednesday afternoon.
He described the news as disappointing, but Cousins said he called Penix to let him know he would be in his corner.
"He said that he was going to come into the building, continue to stay positive, and, you know, do whatever he can to help me out and help this team with football games," Penix described his call with Cousins.
Morris said while Cousins is disappointed by the last-minute shake-up, he "handled the news as a professional." Morris also continued to reassure fans that the decision to bench Cousins had nothing to do with an injury. As for Penix Jr., Morris said he's been prepared and ready to go all year.
"He's been grinding away, learning from Kirk, being around his coaches, being ready to go...Now, he just has to go out there and do it physically from a practice format," Morris said.
The rookie said he was out shopping at Costco with his girlfriend when he learned about the switch-up. It came with nerves and excitement.
"I was actually getting a hot dog, and whenever I got the call, I wasn't hungry no more," he said with a smile on his face.
Morris said owners have supported the decision, pointing to the team's collaborative environment. He added that he's "always going to make football decisions in order to win football games."
As for whether the switch will be permanent, Morris said, "Nothing is ever permanent in the National Football League," adding that, for now, the focus is solely on defeating the Giants this weekend.
Penix has appeared in only two games, completing 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2023 when he passed for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for Washington.
Cousins, meanwhile, had a strong start to the season, leading the Falcons to a 6-3 start and first place in the division. He has completed 66.9% of his passes, exactly matching his standard for his 13-year career. He has passed for 3,508 yards but has an unhealthy ratio of 18 touchdown passes to 16 interceptions.
Penix complimented Cousins on the success he's had this season. He also looked at joining the team under Cousins as a chance to learn from the veteran.
"I knew the position I was in, and you know, I looked at it as an opportunity to learn," he said.
The Falcons game against the Giants is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Penix said he's just ready to play.
"I'm blessed to have the opportunity, and I'm just going to... make sure I take full advantage of it."