It felt like a fever dream for Falcons fans. One minute, Atlanta is shelling out a staggering $180 million to land the biggest prize in free agency, and the next, Kirk Cousins is holding a clipboard. If you’re wondering why did Kirk Cousins get benched, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most expensive "oops" moments in NFL history.
Honestly, the move didn't just happen because of one bad game. It was a slow-motion car crash that started with a shocking draft pick and ended with a veteran quarterback struggling to find the end zone while finding the opposing team's jerseys way too often.
The Turning Point: A November to Forget
Most people look at the final decision in December 2024, but the seeds were sown weeks earlier. Kirk Cousins started the season looking like the savior Atlanta prayed for. He even torched Tampa Bay for over 500 yards in Week 5. But then, the wheels didn't just come off; they evaporated.
Over a brutal five-game stretch late in the 2024 season, the Falcons went 1-4. During that span, Cousins threw exactly one touchdown compared to nine interceptions. You read that right. One TD. In over a month of football.
Coach Raheem Morris was basically stuck between a rock and a hard place. He had a locker room watching their playoff hopes slip away and a rookie, Michael Penix Jr., sitting on the bench with a cannon for an arm. By the time Week 16 rolled around, the "standard" Morris often talked about simply wasn't being met. The Falcons weren't just losing; they were losing because their highly-paid quarterback was single-handedly giving the ball away.
The Stats That Sealed the Deal
If you look at the raw numbers from that 2024 campaign, it’s easy to see why the coaching staff lost patience:
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- Interceptions: Cousins tied for the league lead with 16 picks.
- Passer Rating: He finished with an 88.6 rating, his lowest in a decade.
- The TD:INT Ratio: During the final slump, a 1-to-9 ratio is essentially benchable for any player, regardless of their paycheck.
The Michael Penix Jr. Factor
We have to talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the rookie in the room. When Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall just weeks after signing Cousins, it created a ticking clock. Most experts thought Penix would sit for two years.
But when the veteran struggles, that clock accelerates. The Falcons weren't just benching Kirk because he was playing poorly; they were benching him because they had a massive investment waiting in the wings. Morris eventually admitted the move was a "football decision" aimed at sparking an offense that had become stagnant and predictable.
The coach noted that they had been "searching and digging" for ways to fix the offense with Kirk, but they eventually realized the best chance to win—and to see what they had in their future—was to make the switch.
It Wasn't Just About Performance
There's a "human element" to this that often gets lost in the box scores. Cousins was coming off a massive Achilles injury from the year before. While he insisted his health was fine, observers noted he looked "statuesque" in the pocket. He wasn't moving well, and he struggled to generate power on throws when he couldn't perfectly set his feet.
Coming off a major surgery at 36 years old is a tall order. Some believe the physical limitations led to the poor decision-making. If you can't escape the rush, you start forcing balls into windows that aren't actually open. That leads to the "turnover-worthy plays" that eventually forced Raheem Morris’s hand.
How Kirk Handled the Demotion
To his credit, Cousins didn't pull a diva act. He called Penix the night he found out, offering his support. He famously told reporters, "I didn't forget how to play quarterback," but acknowledged that he simply hadn't played up to the team's standard.
He spent the end of 2024 as the league’s most expensive backup, even running the scout team to help the defense prepare. It was a bizarre sight: a four-time Pro Bowler mimicking opposing QBs while a rookie led the first-team huddle.
What Happens Now?
The story took another weird turn in 2025. After Penix went down with a season-ending injury, Cousins actually stepped back into the starting role and played surprisingly well, leading the team to a 5-2 stretch. But the damage from the 2024 benching was already done.
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As we head into the 2026 offseason, the Falcons and Cousins have already started restructuring his contract to make a "parting of ways" easier. The team recently adjusted his deal, setting up March 13, 2026, as a pivotal date. Basically, if he's still on the roster then, a massive chunk of money becomes guaranteed. Most insiders expect the Falcons to either trade him or release him before that deadline hits.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the March 13 Deadline: This is the "kill switch" for the Cousins era in Atlanta. If no trade is found, expect a release.
- Follow the Cap Savings: Atlanta is looking to shed his massive salary to build around Penix's return in 2026.
- Evaluate the "Mentor" Role: If Cousins does stay in the league, look for him to sign with a team where he is the undisputed bridge starter, likely avoiding another "Penix situation" where a high-draft-pick rookie is breathing down his neck.
The benching of Kirk Cousins wasn't just a mid-season swap. It was a fundamental shift in how the Falcons view their future. While Kirk proved he can still play at a high level in flashes, the combination of a high turnover rate and a ready-made successor made his seat in Atlanta way too hot to keep.
Keep a close eye on the waiver wire and trade rumors as we approach the new league year in March. The Cousins saga is far from over, but his time as the "franchise" guy in Atlanta has effectively reached its conclusion.
Next Steps for You: You can track the official NFL transaction wire starting in February to see if the Falcons designate Cousins as a post-June 1 release, which would be the clearest sign they are moving on for good.