NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan gave a blunt assessment of Kirk Cousins this season after Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons' first-round pick, took over as starter on Sunday.

Now, mere days after Cousins was sent to the bench, ESPN 's Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons are expected to cut Cousins before a $10 million roster bonus is due in March. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal to join the Falcons this past March, a contract which included $100 million guaranteed.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reviews the various factors and the possible outcomes at play as the Atlanta Falcons proceed with a succession plan from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins, who is in the first season of a four-year, $180 million contract that included $90 million guaranteed at signing, was benched by the Falcons on Tuesday.

Ian Rapoport suggested in a recent article that the Falcons could keep QB Kirk Cousins as a backup for the 2025 season.

Expect the Atlanta Falcons offense to look a little different on Sunday against the Giants with Michael Penix Jr. taking over for Kirk Cousins

On the first play of his first NFL start, Michael Penix Jr. made a statement... on a medium-length incompletion intended for Ray Ray McCloud. It wasn't that Penix failed to connect with McCloud, even if the throw was a dart to the sideline that sliced through coverage

The Atlanta Falcons are beginning a new era on Sunday, as rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will make his first NFL start on Sunday vs. the New York Giants. Atlanta is benching veteran Kirk Cousins with the NFC South in the balance,

Kirk Cousins' divorce from the Falcons is expected to be finalized before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, with executives across the league fully expecting Atlanta to have to release him by then.

The Falcons drafted Washington standout Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, which was a surprise to Cousins. Penix, who was considered one of the more pro-ready quarterback prospects in the class, will make his first NFL start this Sunday against the New York Giants.

The Atlanta Falcons have officially benched veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr., leaving questions about Cousins’ future in the NFL. Cousins’ Falcons contract is very tradable, and it’s possible Atlanta will find a suitor to take on the rest of the quarterback’s deal in the spring.