The Atlanta Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. may have seemed puzzling just a few weeks after they signed Kirk Cousins to a hefty $180 million deal. However, with the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft, Penix was initially viewed as a backup to Cousins for a year or two. Those plans changed abruptly when Cousins struggled significantly, showing a notable decline in both the power and precision of his throws, which jeopardized his spot as the starting quarterback.
Cousins’ performance had been underwhelming, with only one touchdown and nine interceptions over his last five games, making the decision to replace him easier for the team, especially with the Falcons just one game behind Tampa Bay in the standings and only three weeks remaining in the season. This risky move paid off during Penix’s first start in the NFL, in which he led the Falcons to a commanding 34-7 victory against the New York Giants. This win was crucial, pushing the Falcons (8-7) back into first place in the NFC South after the Buccaneers lost to Dallas later that night.
Penix showed composure and skill in his debut, completing 18 out of 27 passes for a total of 202 yards. His stats might have been even better had it not been for several dropped passes, including one by Kyle Pitts that landed in the hands of a New York defender, resulting in Penix’s only interception. “He went out and played almost flawless football,” remarked head coach Raheem Morris. Looking ahead, it seems likely that Cousins will be searching for a new team in 2025. If the Falcons release him as anticipated, he will have received $90 million for playing just 14 games. Over his career, Cousins has earned roughly $321 million, holding a record of 84-77-2, including a lackluster playoff performance of 1-3 and a 7-7 stat line this season.
Comparing performances from different quarterbacks around the league as they transition to new teams in 2024 reveals an interesting dynamic. Russell Wilson, for example, has emerged as one of the biggest bargains for the Pittsburgh Steelers, signing for the veteran minimum of $1.21 million after the Denver Broncos assumed responsibility for the remaining $37.79 million of his salary. Wilson, hampered by a calf injury at the start of the season, has led the Steelers to a 6-3 record with 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions since taking over as the starter from Justin Fields, who initially went 4-2. The Steelers (10-5) are fighting for a playoff spot, with their fate resting on their performance as they are currently tied atop the AFC North.
Sam Darnold, who joined the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year $10 million contract after Cousins left via free agency, has had a productive season, going 13-2 while setting career highs in several categories including touchdown passes and completion percentage. The Vikings are currently tied with the Lions for the division lead, setting up a critical season finale matchup at Detroit on January 5.
Los Angeles Raiders secured Gardner Minshew with a two-year deal worth $25 million, but after starting off slowly with a 2-7 record and suffering a season-ending injury, he opened the door for Aidan O’Connell to re-enter the game. Meanwhile, the Raiders recently snapped a 10-game losing streak with a victory over Jacksonville, yet their record continues to put them in a challenging spot.
Caleb Williams, selected first overall by the Chicago Bears, had strong expectations placed upon him, but his team has struggled, with a current record of 4-11 and a dismal nine-game losing streak. In contrast, Jayden Daniels, the second quarterback selected in the draft, has emerged as a star for the Washington Commanders, leading them to a potential playoff berth with 22 touchdown passes this season.
Bo Nix, who started an NCAA record 61 games, has stepped into quarterback duties for the Denver Broncos and is on track to break an eight-year playoff drought, balancing his performance with Denver’s strong defense and guidance from head coach Sean Payton. Nix has matched his predecessor Wilson’s win total this season, demonstrating resilience with 22 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
Overall, the shifts in quarterback dynamics and performances across the league underscore how crucial these decisions are as teams navigate their paths to success.
