Kirk Cousins Will Stay QB1 Over Michael Penix Jr. After Vikings Loss, Falcons HC Says

Despite the Atlanta Falcons' 42-21 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Raheem Morris made it clear that Kirk Cousins will remain the starting quarterback over rookie Michael Penix Jr.

"Kirk Cousins is our quarterback," Morris told reporters after the loss.

The 36-year-old has failed to find the end zone in the Falcons' last four games while throwing eight interceptions during a four-game losing streak that dropped the team to 6-7.

Cousins completed 23-of-37 passes for 344 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions in his return to Minnesota, where he spent six seasons before joining Atlanta.

"Everything is always discussed when you go watch the tape and do all those types of things... We'll have the ability to go watch this tape just like we do every week. You know, Kirk played significantly better than he did the week before," Morris told reporters.

The "week before" performance in question was against the Los Angeles Chargers, where instead of two interceptions with zero touchdowns, Cousins threw four interceptions with zero touchdowns.

The veteran is averaging 254.3 passing yards per game this season, the second-lowest of his career in seasons where he has started at least three games. He is also facing his second-lowest career touchdown percentage this season, at 4.3%.

In addition to his sub-par performance in his first season with the Falcons, Cousins is leading the league in interceptions with 13, along with 3,052 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Cousins signed a four-year, $100 million guaranteed deal prior to the season, likely influencing the decision to keep him on the field despite his slump.

The Falcons sit 10th in the National Football Conference and second in the NFC South division, still in the hunt as they trail the 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"We'll do whatever is best to go win football games and Kirk is definitely a part of that," Morris added.

The Flacons will look to pick up its first win since Week 10 as the face the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders next Monday on the road.