The Falcons are sticking with Kirk Cousins after he threw four interceptions in the team’s third consecutive loss.
While Atlanta fell to 6-6 after losing 17-13 to the Chargers in a turnover-heavy performance by Cousins on Sunday, head coach Raheem Morris told reporters on Monday there are no plans for a quarterback change.
“I don’t think that’s going to be the issue around here,” Morris said in response to a question about whether Cousins might be benched. “That guy’s carried us. That guy’s got us to the point where we’re 6–6, first place in the division. Still got everything in front of us, despite what happened today. It’s up to us to bounce back and find a way to win football games, and there’s no better man than 18 to do that for us.”
The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year deal worth $180 million — with $100 million guaranteed — before selecting another quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Morris wasn’t letting Cousins off the hook for how he played against the Chargers, but continued to defend the starting quarterback’s body of work from the whole season.
“We won’t make any excuses for them that happened today,” Morris said. “That guy has carried us all season, he’s done such a marvelous job. It’s hard to throw that guy under the bus.”
The Chargers loss came on the heels of the Falcons getting blown out 38-6 by the Broncos last week, and falling 20-17 to the Saints the week before.
It would have been extra painful for Cousins to get benched this week, as a revenge game against the Vikings — where the quarterback spent the past six seasons — is on tap this Sunday.
The Falcons are currently tied with the Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South.