One of the very few interesting factors remaining in watching the final games of the Atlanta Falcons' 2025 season is monitoring the play of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Atlanta's 2026 plans at quarterback are wide open after Michael Penix Jr. suffered yet another ACL injury to his right knee. It is the third serious knee injury the signal caller has dealt with dating back to his college days. This leaves his future in question and the Falcons firmly in the market for a potential starting option.
With this in mind, fans couldn't help but pay attention to Week 16 results that forced one surprise quarterback into the lineup. The Green Bay Packers were forced to turn to Malik Willis after Jordan Love was knocked out of the game against the Chicago Bears with a concussion.
Willis responded with a complete sense of calm, going 9/11 for 121 yards and a touchdown. The quarterback added 44 rushing yards to be the team's second leading rusher despite entering the game late. It was a great showcase for a backup slated to hit the free agent market at the end of the 2025 season. For the Falcons, lacking their own first-round pick, coupled with not having the ability to open up the necessary cap space to bring in a splashy addition, it seems 2026 is going to be quarterback by committee.
Falcons Could Find Surprise Answer at QB in Current Packer Backup Malik Willis
Atlanta has both Cousins and Penix under contract for next season. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see the veteran become an offseason cut if the quarterback doesn't finish the remainder of the 2025 campaign strongly. Penix is obviously a question mark, making it imperative that the Falcons sign an option they can lean on if the current duo doesn't prove to be an answer.
Willis is from College Park, Georgia, likely making the potential free agent more prone to consider any offer from the Falcons. Atlanta could be an enticing landing spot as well, based on the fact that you have a legitimate shot at earning a starting job while having the elite weapons of Drake London and Bijan Robinson.
While the quarterback is likely to be an enticing bridge option for several teams in the upcoming offseason, none can offer a duo of playmakers this talented. Add in the legitimate chance to start, an improving defense, and the obvious ties to Georgia, and the move makes far too much sense for both sides not to explore.
It gives the Falcons an outside chance of finding a long-term answer at quarterback as well, with Willis flashing an impressive ability to make plays with both his legs and arm. This was on display on Saturday night with the signal caller dropping a deep pass in the bucket to star receiver Romeo Doubs.
This was a highlight moment proving that the Packer QB wasn't just a rushing threat, but an improving passer that should get a legitimate shot at a starting job. One that the Falcons are likely going to be in a position to offer as a clear offseason fit for the talented Willis.