Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Tyson Bagent

Monday, August 4, 9:24 AM

The Atlanta Falcons will not play quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins in the team's first preseason game on Friday against the Detroit Lions, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Easton Stick and Emory Jones are the quarterbacks on Atlanta's depth chart behind their top two guys, so they will presumably split snaps against Detroit. Penix Jr. is expected to enter the season as the starter for Atlanta after taking over for Cousins in Week 16 of 2024. The veteran Cousins had been the subject of some trade speculation during the offseason, but it appears Atlanta is planning to keep him in place as the backup. In 14 games last year, the 36-year-old completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards, throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. There's not much that Cousins needs to prove in preseason action at this point in his career.

Sunday, August 10, 4:56 PM

Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent completed 13 of 19 passes for 103 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his start against the Miami Dolphins. Bagent played the entire first half and had an up-and-down outing. After going three-and-out on the first two drives of the game, Bagent and the Bears marched down the field on a 16-play 79-yard drive that finished with a four-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Alexander on a fourth and goal. Bagent proceeded to throw an interception on the next drive to end a two-minute drill near the end of the half. Bagent is currently in a quarterback battle with veteran Case Keenum for the backup role behind starter Caleb Williams. Keenum played well in the second half and brings a veteran presence to a young quarterback room. Bagent will need to perform better against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday as he looks to cement his backup role for the Bears in 2025.