Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris has made it clear that Kirk Cousins’ struggles with interceptions won’t lead him to consider a quarterback change against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cousins has enough experience to know he needs to play better or risk losing his coach’s support, especially with rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. waiting for his shot.
Cousins threw four interceptions, tying his career high, including one with 40 seconds left in the Falcons’ 17-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Three of his interceptions came in the second half, with one being returned 61 yards for a touchdown by rookie Tarheeb Still in the third quarter.
“There’s no entitlement in the NFL,” Cousins said when asked about his job security. “You just have to go earn it… I need to play at a level that, you know, justifies being out there.”
Still had two interceptions, and safety Marcus Maye also picked off a pass after being claimed by the Chargers off waivers on Wednesday.
The four interceptions were the most for Cousins since 2014, his third season in the NFL with Washington. This added to a troubling trend for Atlanta, where the offense has struggled while Cousins’ turnovers have been increasing.
In the last three games, all losses, Cousins has thrown six interceptions and no touchdowns. The Falcons have scored fewer than 20 points in each of those losses.
Morris will likely face more questions about Penix as the Falcons (6-6) prepare for next weekend’s game at Minnesota.
“We’ve got no issues with him,” Morris said of Cousins. “I don’t think that’s going to be the issue around here. You know, that guy’s carried us.”
Morris pointed out that the Falcons are still in first place in the NFC South and have “still got everything in front of us.”
Even in the weaker NFC South, the Falcons must end their three-game losing streak to keep their hopes of a playoff spot alive for the first time since 2017.
“It’s up to us to bounce back and find a way to win football games, and there’s no better man than 18 to go do that for us,” Morris said, referring to Cousins.
The Falcons made a big investment in Cousins before committing to Penix as the potential starter for the future. Cousins, 36, signed a four-year, $180 million contract and was praised as he helped Atlanta reach the top of the division at 6-3.
However, the Falcons and Cousins haven’t kept that momentum, and he is now preparing to return to his previous NFL team, Minnesota. A common issue in his interceptions against the Chargers was the defense anticipating his passes, with defensive backs stepping in front of possible targets to make interceptions.
Cousins completed 24 of 39 passes for 245 yards. The Chargers managed 10 passes defensed, showing their success in disrupting his passes, even when they didn’t intercept the ball.
“Obviously disappointing outcome,” Cousins said. “Disappointing play. You know, I look to myself and say, I’ve got to play better… You feel like that was a game we had a chance to win if I play at the standard I expect to play at.”
