For the first time in a decade, quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown four interceptions in a game. The Falcons lost 17-13 to the Chargers in Week 13, another rough game for the veteran quarterback.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta in the offseason, with $100 million guaranteed. Even with the loss, the Falcons are 6-6 and remain atop the NFC South. Atlanta has lost three games in a row, and will have a big game next week against the 10-2 Vikings in a revenge game for Cousins.
After four interceptions, though, and a first-round rookie quarterback waiting in the wings, it's easy to wonder how much more of a leash Cousins has in a season that could get away from Atlanta down the stretch. Would the Falcons actually bench Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.?
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Kirk Cousins' stats today vs. Chargers
- 39 pass attempts
- 24 completions
- 245 yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 4 interceptions
- 1 rush
- 3 rushing yards
This was the first game since 2014 in which Cousins has thrown four interceptions in the same game. The last time he did it was with the Commanders. Washington lost that game to the Giants 45-14. Cousins had 257 passing yards with a touchdown but four interceptions.
Will the Falcons bench Kirk Cousins?
Probably not. Even with how badly he played in the loss, the team is still guaranteed to go into Week 14 at least tied for the division lead in the NFC South. Plus, Cousins will be on the road taking on his former Vikings, so it will be a big game for him.
Following the contest, Falcons coach Raheem Morris said as much, telling reporters Cousins is not in danger of being benched. Morris added that they like what they have in the rookie Penix but recognize it was just a bad game for Cousins and that he deserves to be the starter moving forward.
Cousins expressed frustration after the loss, saying the team could have won if he played up to his usual standard.
If the quarterback has another bad game, maybe chatter will get louder. That will likely depend on how poorly Cousins performs, however, and whether the Buccaneers continue to put pressure on Atlanta. If Atlanta needs to switch quarterbacks, it will likely not come until Week 15 at the earliest, when they take on the Raiders for "Monday Night Football."
Even if Cousins were benched, it likely would only be a permanent move if Penix showed that he was NFL-ready. With the amount of money invested in the veteran, Atlanta has its hands tied in the next few seasons unless Penix dominates immediately.
Falcons remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent |
| Dec. 8 | at Vikings |
| Dec. 16 (MNF) | at Raiders |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Giants |
| TBD Week 17 | at Commanders |
| TBD Week 18 | vs. Panthers |