Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris benched quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in favor of Kirk Cousins in Sunday's blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, but Morris has no plans of taking Penix's starting role. After the game, Morris told reporters "no" when asked if Cousins would compete for the starting job this week. Penix struggled in the 30-0 loss, completing 18 of his 36 passes for 172 yards with two interceptions. "I'm never OK with not playing," Penix told reporters. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million fully guaranteed ahead of the 2024 season, before the Falcons selected Penix.