59 different quarterbacks started an NFL game in 2024. The Atlanta Falcons were one of the many teams to play multiple quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. each starting games last season.
Cousins, who went into the season as the uncontested starter, was fairly cemented into his role for a vast majority of the campaign. The veteran QB led the team to a 7-7 record in 14 starts. However, he went 1-4 in his final five starts after going 5-1 in the previous six games.
His final start, a 15-9 win over the Raiders in Week 15, felt like a loss given how poorly he played. Cousins’ poor run of games landed him at No. 25 in CBS Sports’ quarterback rankings.
“Cousins was uncharacteristically streaky, sandwiching lifeless duds between monster prime-time spots,” said CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin.
Fans likely won’t have to think twice about Cousins next year as Penix enters the 2025 season as the team’s unquestioned starter. The rookie only started three games last season but played well enough to give the fan base hope for the future.
While it may be true that the offense looked better with Penix under center, his lack of playing time pins him in the back half of CBS Sports’ rankings. Penix was ranked 36th overall.
“His touch and willingness to send the ball downfield at least made Atlanta more of an intriguing watch by season’s end,” stated Benjamin.
However, the rookie needs to improve his completion percentage in Year 2. Penix completed just 58.1 percent of his passes last season.
Other factors come into play with these numbers, but his accuracy is an area where he could improve in 2025. Overall, there’s a ton to like about the young quarterback.
“I’ve got so much confidence in Michael Penix leading us into the future and I believe our whole building does and I believe our fan base does and I believe our owner does,” head coach Raheem Morris said about Penix at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.