Why isn't Kirk Cousins playing today? Exploring Falcons QB's status for Week 16 vs Giants

Kirk Cousins' future hangs in the balance as we approach Sunday's Week 16 round of games. With seven wins, the Falcons have clearly weighed all their options considering they are in the playoff bubble, so to speak.

This week, the franchise announced a major decision, choosing to bench their marquee free agent signing in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Eyebrows were raised when the Falcons made Penix Jr. the eighth overall pick out of Washington but it appears the young QB's time has come.

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Why isn't Kirk Cousins playing today vs the New York Giants?

While it's a combination of factors that led to a bad product on the field, perhaps the single biggest reason you could point to is how many turnovers Cousins has had this year.

The $180 million quarterback has thrown a league-leading 16 interceptions, and his 12 fumbles are tied for the most in the league alongside Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Those numbers make for rough reading when you consider the fact that the Falcons gave Cousins $100 million guaranteed coming off a major Achilles injury.

For his part, Cousins admitted that he wasn't at his best this year. He told reporters this week:

"It's pro football. There's a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me. Unfortunately, I wasn't playing up to that standard consistently enough. It is what it is. You roll with it.

"Now, you still get ready, one play away kind of a thing, and support Mike and just try to help our team be able to find a way to win these last three to get in the playoffs. That's what it's all about. That's my focus."

NFL Rumors: Falcons expected to cut Kirk Cousins

According to ESPN, the Falcons are expected to make Cousins next year's Russell Wilson by cutting him before March 17, which is when he is due a $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season. The Falcons will essentially stop short of bleeding any more money on a quarterback who they do not see as their future.

When all is said and done, the franchise will have paid Cousins $90 million for 14 games. While hindsight is 20/20, the Falcons famously refused to pursue Lamar Jackson in free agency when the former NFL MVP did not have an offer from the Ravens on the table.