The Atlanta Falcons fell to 0-2 in the preseason after losing 13-12 to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. While preseason records are insignificant, a key decision by the Falcons’ coach has raised some questions.
The Falcons’ prized free-agent acquisition Kirk Cousins is not expected to take the field for any of the three exhibition games, which some believe has opened the door for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to see significant playing time.
But Penix, the No. 8 pick in this year’s NFL draft, never took a single snap Saturday in Baltimore.
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Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich History/Getty Images)
Taylor Heinicke started the game against the Ravens before John Paddock replaced him. After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was asked about his decision to bench the rookie.
“That was all about it. Last week we wanted to get him out there and get a feel for what he was like in a live game, which we kind of knew already,” Morris said via the Falcons’ official website.
Morris was referring to Penix’s performance against the Miami Dolphins in the first week of preseason. He expressed the coaching staff’s belief that they had “seen enough last week” from the rookie and wanted to “mitigate” the injury risk.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich History/Getty Images)
“We wanted to see him be able to answer questions, talk about it on the sidelines, go out there and execute, make mistakes and know what to do. … We saw enough of Michael Penix last week live, and now we’ve had a chance to tone it down, and in practice, you know, we give him a bunch of live stuff in practice to do everything he would do in a game other than get hit.”
Penix finished last week’s game with 104 passing yards.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to pass during practice at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility on May 14, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Falcons’ decision to hold Penix out of preseason games comes just days after the Minnesota Vikings announced that JJ McCarthy would undergo season-ending surgery. McCarthy played last week in the Vikings’ preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Falcons shocked the NFL by making the surprising decision to use a top-10 draft pick on a quarterback shortly after signing Cousins to a four-year contract. Cousins initially appeared stunned by the decision.
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During the NFL Network draft broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah said he reached out to the four-time Pro Bowler’s agent, Mike McCartney. Jeremiah said McCartney suggested that Falcons management had not “warned” Cousins about their draft plans.
“Kirk Cousins wasn’t really briefed on this whole thing,” Jeremiah said.
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