What Falcons 'really love' about how Kirk Cousins is handling awkward Michael Penix Jr. situation

Barring a surprising development, quarterback Kirk Cousins will serve as the primary backup for 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. when the Atlanta Falcons open the upcoming regular season with a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 7. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris touched upon how Cousins is handling what could be a difficult situation for everybody involved. 

"I really love where he’s at from a communication standpoint with Mike [Penix], from his coaches," Morris said about Cousins, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I really love where he’s at from a communication standpoint with us, and it’s one of the things that you just can’t give him enough credit for. I knew, obviously, the swirling winds of the bad human of every person that comes out. He’s not that, and those are the things that I was really confident in when I knew he could be here and be doing everything he needs to get done."

It's no secret that Cousins wanted to be traded in the offseason after he lost his starting job to Penix this past December. However, no team matched Atlanta's asking price for the veteran who turns 37 years old on Aug. 19. Additionally, the no-trade clause attached to Cousins' contract allowed him to make it known he would only join a club that would guarantee him a QB1 gig.

Whispers continue to hover over the Falcons, suggesting that Morris could consider going back to Cousins if Penix struggles with his accuracy over the first few weeks of the campaign. As a rookie, Penix completed just 58.1 percent of 105 pass attempts. 

That said, Cousins seemed to have a "dead" arm as he dealt with elbow, shoulder and ankle issues last fall, coming off the torn Achilles he suffered in October 2023. On Wednesday, Morris indicated that Cousins has looked more like himself this summer. 

"He’s been really good," Morris added about Cousins. "You’re talking about going through progressions and actually throwing the ball wherever you need to throw it. Obviously, he has the ability to come out of the pocket a little bit better than this time last year, coming off a significant injury."

It sounds like Cousins could be ready to go on the first Sunday of September if he's called into action for any reason.