FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Kirk Cousins stood at the podium inside the press room at the Atlanta Falcons facility Wednesday afternoon, about 24 hours after being told by head coach Raheem Morris that he would no longer be the team's starting quarterback.
Morris announced Tuesday it would be rookie Michael Penix Jr. as the team's No. 1 QB "moving forward." Cousins had thrown nine interceptions in the span of five games against just one touchdown pass. The Falcons went 1-4 during that stretch, going from first place in the NFC South to a 7-7 record and barely hanging on in the playoff race.