Less than 24 hours after a tepid performance in a close victory over a two-win Raiders team, Falcons coach Raheem Morris isn’t ready to commit to Kirk Cousins’ progress.
After a flight home from Las Vegas, Morris was asked Monday whether Cousins will start at quarterback against the New York Giants on Sunday. This is what he had to say:
“We just got back, man,” Morris said, via Marc Raimondi of ESPN. “We still have to go through that whole process like we always do. Obviously we came back late last night and got a big win.”
Morris then acknowledged that the Falcons needed to play better at quarterback.
“There’s always going to be a question mark when it comes to the head coach, when it comes to the quarterback,” Morris continued on the Falcons’ team website. ‘And you have to be very transparent about it. We have to play better.
“I think that’s the point that needs to be put out, that we need to play better, and that’s the point that needs to be addressed. This needs to be done so that we can find ways to win against our next opponent. Those are the New York Giants.”
That’s not a statement announcing a change at quarterback. But it’s the first time this season that Morris has hesitated when talking about Cousins’ status as Atlanta’s starter.
Morris has had questions about Cousins before, most notably after a four-game losing streak in which Cousins threw eight interceptions and zero touchdowns. Until Monday, Morris remained steadfast in his support for Cousins.
“Kirk is our quarterback,” Morris said on Dec. 9 after a Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. “Kirk is the man who is going to lead us.”
Cousins threw two interceptions and no touchdowns in that 42-21 loss to his former team. The loss to the Vikings ended Atlanta’s four-game losing streak, leaving them on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture.
Then came Monday night’s game. The Falcons held on for a 15–9 win, but failed to secure the win over a Raiders team with the worst record in the NFL until the final game. Atlanta’s offense scored just one touchdown despite starting most of its drives in premium field position on a night when the Falcons’ defense forced a fumble at midfield and their special teams blocked two punts.
Cousins was inaccurate on several downfield throws and struggled with mobility limitations that have plagued him since suffering a torn Achilles tendon last season. He finished the night completing 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 7-7 to stay in the playoffs. But the four-game losing streak leaves them with a slim chance of making the postseason after a 6-3 start. The midseason swoon has led to the Falcons calling for a move on first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr., whom they selected eighth overall in April’s draft.
Morris was not so quick to dismiss the idea on Tuesday. The Falcons are fighting for their season and may need wins over the Giants, Commanders and Panthers in their final three games to have a chance at the playoffs. Will Cousins take the lead, or will Penix get a chance with the postseason on the line?
