The Atlanta Falcons fell to 3-7 after a Week 11 divisional loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
However that’s not the place the dangerous information ends for the Falcons.
It sounds just like the second profession season for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. may very well be minimize quick because of a possible season-ending knee surgical procedure. Based on ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Penix will search a second opinion. Nevertheless, Kirk Cousins is about as much as take the reins of the Falcons once more.
The Falcons wouldn’t have their very own first-round decide. They traded it throughout April’s NFL Draft to the Los Angeles Rams so they may choose Tennessee move rusher James Pearce Jr.
Whereas he’s helped Atlanta flip the script on their defensive woes from final season, the Falcons solely have three wins, and they’re going to be with out their beginning quarterback. They’re successfully setting the Rams up with a perfect draft decide in 2026.
Penix’s draft choice at all times felt a bit unusual, particularly as a result of it got here on the heels of giving Cousins a large four-year contract in free company. Each Cousins and Penix arrived in Atlanta in 2024. Penix has solely made 12 begins. Cousins has made 15 begins.
It’s far too early to surrender on the 25-year-old quarterback, however issues need to be getting uncomfortable. Proper?
The NFC South is at all times a crapshoot. Whereas Baker Mayfield began the season as an MVP candidate with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he’s cooled off a bit because of accidents to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
In the meantime, the Carolina Panthers are shifting out of their rebuild part. Dave Canales has Bryce Younger enjoying higher soccer and Carolina finds themselves with a successful file heading into Week 12.
When drafting a quarterback with the No. 8 general choice, you’re sometimes placing your entire eggs in that basket. That was by no means the case for the Falcons due to Cousins’ contract and their unwillingness to commerce him.
Keep in mind, this offseason, Cousins was uncovered to loads of commerce rumors. However finally, the Falcons determined to carry onto him.
The Falcons are 4-8 in video games that Penix begins. His profession completion proportion is below 60 p.c, however his 12 touchdowns to 6 interceptions is a suitable ratio for a younger quarterback in a small pattern dimension.
The pattern dimension has been too small for Penix, who will virtually definitely get subsequent season as effectively regardless of this damage.
However with no first-round choice, it’s tough to see a path the place the Falcons can considerably enhance until their younger quarterback takes an enormous leap – particularly in an bettering division.
