Many fans were puzzled when the Atlanta Falcons opted not to trade Kirk Cousins this offseason, instead preferring the quality backup option behind Michael Penix Jr. The Dirty Birds received significant interest and would have likely received fair trade compensation, but Terry Fontenot held firm.
So when Penix suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Falcons' Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers, it presented a pathway for the 37-year-old to once again cement himself as a starting QB. And following a strong showing in Atlanta's Week 12 victory, Raheem Morris was quick to defend the decision.