NFL Insider: Cousins Out, Penix Jr. In If Falcons Don't Win Multiple Playoff Games

The Atlanta Falcons had a fascinating offseason, turning heads when they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal, only to use the No. 8 pick in this year's NFL draft on Michael Penix Jr.

And that has some people wondering if Cousins will have a pretty short runway in Atlanta.

"I think Cousins will not be the quarterback in Atlanta next year," an NFL insider told The Athletic's Mike Sando as part of his 2024 QB Tiers list. "Unless Atlanta wins multiple games in the playoffs, the season is a failure for Kirk, unfortunately, based on the desire to see Michael Penix."

Cousins, 36, has generally been very good in the regular season, with seven seasons exceeding 4,000 passing yards and three seasons with at least 30 passing touchdowns. Getting to the playoffs and succeeding there has been another story, though—he's just 1-3 in the postseason with five touchdown passes and an interception.

The Falcons are loaded with young offensive talent around him, so expectations are high. But there's no doubt that Penix looms.