Atlanta has competed in the NFC South race throughout the season, but Cousins struggled in the second half. The 36-year-old threw just one touchdown compared to nine interceptions over a five-game stretch prior to being benched, and the Falcons went 1-4 in those games.

Cousins is benched, Penix is starting, and Atlanta’s QB future hangs in the balance as tensions rise ahead of a must-win game.

Cousins addressed his benching in a recent press conference after head coach Raheem Morris had indicated that the level of play at the quarterback position was not up to par. “I didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” Cousins during a press conference on Tuesday. “Certainly the turnovers were not what you want. But I didn’t forget how to play.”

It didn't take long for reports to surface on the link between the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Kirk Cousins. Less than two weeks after the report via ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Atlanta Falcons are expected to cut Cousins ahead of when his $10 million bonus is due on March 10,

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Daniel Oyefusi reported Thursday that one team's offseason evaluations at quarterback will include Atlanta Falcons signal caller Kirk Cousins.

The Falcons drafted Washington standout Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, which was a surprise to Cousins. Penix, who was considered one of the more pro-ready quarterback prospects in the class, will make his first NFL start this Sunday against the New York Giants.

The Falcons season isn’t technically over, but they’ll need a lot of help to capture a postseason berth. They will have to beat the Panthers on Sunday, and they’ll need the Saints, who are two-touchdown underdogs,

Cousins had Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator when both were with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.