Falcons’ plan to not rush rookie QB Michael Penix into motion

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have a plan for quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s growth, and coach Raheem Morris stated that plan doesn’t embody placing the rookie in “too early.”

Falcons starter Kirk Cousins has struggled mightily with eight interceptions and no landing passes over the previous 4 weeks. He threw 4 interceptions in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13 and one other two in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings final week.

After as soon as holding a commanding division lead, Atlanta (6-7) has misplaced 4 straight and is now in second place within the NFC South. The state of affairs has brought on followers and pundits to name for Penix, the eighth general decide within the 2024 NFL draft, to get an opportunity to start out.

Morris has maintained that Cousins is the starter, has earned the chance to proper the ship and is the person who offers the staff the most effective probability to win. On Thursday, Morris additionally stated there are issues about not utilizing Penix in a state of affairs the place it might mess up his growth.

“I advised you proper from the start, he is our future,” Morris stated of Penix. “… And to have the ability to have the respect, to have the ability to have the arrogance, to have the ability to have the wherewithal to assist Kirk and all these things, too, it is an ideal studying lesson for him as properly. So, while you undergo all that course of, you’ll be able to take a look at completely different organizations [that have] pulled the set off and put guys on the market too early and it is gone horrible, and I do not need to be that man.”

Morris did not element the franchise’s plan for Penix, solely saying he was the longer term and he’d get the possibility “when it is time.” And that point is not proper now whereas Atlanta nonetheless believes in Cousins turning issues round earlier than it turns into a misplaced season.

“For me, it is the final word encouragement and backing for my constructing and for my state of the union to go on the market and assist [Cousins],” Morris stated. “So, to say benching does not cross your thoughts, you’ve got all the time received to think about these issues if you happen to really feel prefer it’s one thing that is … irreparable or regardless of the case could also be.

“However I do not really feel that approach. I really feel like [Cousins is] going to return out of this factor and he’ll go on a run right here and get us to do the issues that we have to do.”

The Falcons go to the Las Vegas Raiders for “Monday Evening Soccer” this week, adopted by a house sport in opposition to the New York Giants. The 2 opponents have a mixed 4 wins this season. So, if Atlanta and Cousins are going to make a renewed playoff push, time is of the essence.

“We’re primarily enjoying playoff-type soccer proper now,” Morris stated. “All these video games change into must-wins, besides the one factor completely different proper now could be you do not go house.”