"It's over": Mark Schlereth calls for Falcons to 'move on' from $180,000,000 Kirk Cousins

This offseason, the Atlanta Falcons were able to land quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. Cousins signed a four-year $180 million deal with the Falcons in free agency, after playing the previous six seasons in Minnesota.

The Falcons and Cousins were off to a hot start this season, going 6-3 in their first nine games. Cousins even had an impressive 500-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Week 5 overtime win.

Recently, Cousins has been playing bad. In the last five games, he's thrown for one touchdown to nine interceptions, with the team 1-4 in those games.

Former NFL offensive lineman and current radio sportscaster Mark Schlereth is calling for the Falcons to move on from Cousins and to start backup quarterback, Michael Penix Jr.

The 3x Super Bowl winner Schlereth said via the "Breakfast Ball" on Tuesday:

"It's over. It's over. Okay? It is time to move on and listen, nobody's been a bigger fan of Kirk Cousins than me. He is not playing well, whether it's an injury or whatever the case may be. And you look at the way that offense is built, they've got a big time offensive line. That group in front of him is a really good, good group."

"There is no excuse to have a five-game stretch where you've thrown one TD and nine interceptions. You drafted Penix in the first round. He's got more mobility. He's got a [livelier] arm. You are behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right now for that division crown? I think it's over for Atlanta."

The Atlanta Falcons took a gamble on signing Kirk Cousins, but luckily drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 NFL draft

Michael Penix Jr. left, Kirk Cousins, right, during Atlanta Falcons v Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Getty

Of Kirk Cousins' $180 million on his contract, only half of it ($90 million) is guaranteed. The Atlanta Falcons could move on from him after this season or the following if they chose to.

While the Falcons signed Cousins, who was coming off an Achilles tear from last season, and with his age (36), the team drafted Michael Penix Jr. with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. While at the time many questioned the pick given the team signing Cousins, it's starting to look smarter by the day.

Penix Jr. threw for 13,741 yards and 96 touchdowns in college and led Washington to the National Championship game last season, losing to Michigan.

If Cousins continues to struggle the way he has been, the Falcons could turn to Penix Jr. or could think about heading into next season with him being the starter. W