1. Kirk Cousins deserves more time
It was last October that the Atlanta Falcons quarterback suffered a season-ending injury and needed surgery. How quickly Cousins returned speaks to his work ethic and how far the procedure has come.
None of this excuses what Atlanta fans were forced to watch on Sunday. Cousins turned the ball over three times and both of his interceptions were mind-numbingly bad. Forced throws that Desmond Ridder would have made last season. There is no defending his level of play or the turnovers that resulted against the Steelers.
However, let's take a breath and consider the veteran's resume and who he has been throughout his career. There isn't a reason to panic and consider moving off a player based on one bad week.
Fans should ready themselves for Cousins to continue to struggle and ease back into the lineup. Not only are you bouncing back from a serious injury but learning a new offense with a new team. Add in the fact that Cousins wasn't given any preseason reps and it isn't terribly surprising the quarterback was rusty and out of sorts. This isn't a defense of Kirk's play but rather pointing out it is only week one for an accomplished veteran.
2. Kirk's contract
Even if Cousins didn't have the resume he did the money demands Cousins continue to start. While some teams can justify starting failing quarterbacks there is no defense of benching Cousins this season for Atlanta.
If at any point the Falcons turn to Penix and aren't dealing with an injury Terry Fontenot and perhaps even Morris should consider their tenures coming to an end. Cousins is going to be Atlanta's starter for the next two seasons unless something drastic happens.
This is why drafting Penix took so much heat from a lot of different corners. For those paying attention, you know that the $180-million dollar deal given to the veteran quarterback doesn't have an out until year three.
You cannot consider putting Penix in no matter how ugly the start of the season is for Kirk Cousins. You're trusting the veteran to figure it out and understanding the contract he was handed doesn't allow for a change this season.
Cousins and Zac Robinson are going to have to figure things out. Unless Atlanta's poor offensive line play creates an injury, or it is in garbage time fans are going to have to wait another two seasons to see Penix.
3. Atlanta's offensive line
The last thing you want to do with a rookie quarterback is put them in a situation where they are consistently running for their lives. This is especially the case if your rookie is less than mobile. Veterans can make adjustments and get the ball out quickly enough to take less punishment.
Cousins made two terrible throws on Sunday and looked to be out of sorts. With that said, a large piece of the blame should go on Atlanta's offensive line and Kaleb McGary specifically. There was rarely a pocket to step into and Watt was always either in the backfield or creating issues on the line of scrimmage.
Penix has an extensive injury history and wouldn't help with Atlanta's current offensive issues. Week one wasn't about the lack of open receivers but simply a quarterback who had zero time in the pocket.
The pass protection was a disaster and deserves just as much heat as Atlanta's veteran quarterback is being given. Atlanta's offensive line is far too talented to continue to play at this level. However, the point here remains Penix isn't fixing the issues facing the offense and would likely struggle to stay healthy with McGary on his blindside.
