Falcons bench Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. | Reaction [Video]

ATLANTA — After weeks of subpar play from first-year Atlanta Falcons quarterback and multi-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins, the team is turning to rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.

The team announced the news in a press release on Tuesday night, with Raheem Morris simply stating: “After review we have made the decision Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward. This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”

The move comes as the aging 36-year-old Cousins leads the league in interceptions thrown and fumbles, throwing 18 picks and having 13 fumbles to date. To say it’s been a massive disappointment so far in Cousins’ first year would …