Falcons Stand Firm: No Cousins, No Penix in the Preseason!

While many NFL teams are using the preseason to test lineups and warm up their star rookies, the Atlanta Falcons are taking a completely different route. Head coach Raheem Morris has confirmed that rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. – the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – will not play a single snap this preseason. More surprisingly, even veteran star Kirk Cousins, the $180 million signing, may also sit out.

The decision immediately sparked debate among Falcons fans and analysts. Some believe it’s a smart move to protect the team’s most valuable assets from unnecessary injuries before the regular season begins. Others mocked the Falcons for “wrapping their stars in bubble wrap” and avoiding the competitive fire, especially when Penix needs on-field reps to adapt and prove his worth.

Amid the noise, Morris delivered a calm yet cryptic explanation:

“Penix is definitely not playing. He’ll learn from the sideline, from Cousins, and from our system. As for Cousins… we’ll see. I’m not ruling it out, but my priority is to keep him healthy for the start of the season.”

According to several analysts, this likely means Morris will hand most of the preseason snaps to backup quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Logan Woodside, in order to determine who could step in if Cousins faces any setbacks during the season.

The Falcons enter 2024 with high expectations after an aggressive offseason. The combination of an experienced QB like Cousins and a talented rookie like Penix Jr. was expected to mark the start of a new era for the team. But with both likely absent in the preseason, questions remain about chemistry, game readiness, and how quickly the offense can click under real pressure.

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington weighed in:

“You can protect your players, but you might also risk them not being ready for real pressure. The Falcons are betting that quiet preparation beats live contact – but that’s a huge gamble in the NFL.”

Whether Morris’s decision proves to be a masterstroke or a risky gamble, one thing is certain – the Falcons will be one of the most-watched teams this season. And when the regular season kicks off, fans will find out if sitting their stars in August was the right move… or the start of a season full of regrets.