NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan gave a blunt assessment of Kirk Cousins this season after Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons' first-round pick, took over as starter on Sunday.

Kirk Cousins broke his touchdown drought, but his performance didn’t instill any confidence going forward with the Atlanta Falcons (7-7) pass offense. Cousin was inaccurate at times and late on multiple throws. The veteran quarterback went 11-of-17 ...

The Kirk Cousins fiasco for the Atlanta Falcons led to a $180 million decision, and the winner was Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons. So far.

Now, mere days after Cousins was sent to the bench, ESPN 's Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons are expected to cut Cousins before a $10 million roster bonus is due in March. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal to join the Falcons this past March, a contract which included $100 million guaranteed.

Cousins, who is in the first season of a four-year, $180 million contract that included $90 million guaranteed at signing, was benched by the Falcons on Tuesday.

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New York Giants on Sunday, 34-7, and then got some help from the Dallas Cowboys in their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccanee

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reviews the various factors and the possible outcomes at play as the Atlanta Falcons proceed with a succession plan from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr.

At quarterback, the Falcons might go from cooked to cooking. In the midst of a race for the NFC South title, with three games left, Atlanta finally acknowledged that rookie Michael Penix Jr. offers a better chance to win than the quarterback the team gave  $100 million in guaranteed money last March,

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 could release or trade Kirk Cousins after benching him in favor of Michael Penix Jr. But they don’t really have to.

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release quarterback Kirk Cousins after just one season due to lackluster play, with rookie Michael Penix Jr. taking his place.