The Falcons surprisingly selected Penix with the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The pick wasn't a surprise because of Penix's résumé so much as the team's $180 million signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier in the offseason. After a rough 14 games to begin his Falcons career, Atlanta benched Cousins for Penix.

Despite his benching, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins strongly supported rookie passer Michael Penix Jr. in Sunday's win over the New York Giants.

The Falcons had planned to sit Penix behind Cousins this season, but the veteran's play dictated this move with a playoff spot at stake.

The Kirk Cousins fiasco for the Atlanta Falcons led to a $180 million decision, and the winner was Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons. So far.

Penix, the former Washington Huskies standout, was named the Falcons starter in Week 16, replacing veteran Kirk Cousins, who struggled for more than a month. Penix was picked No.

Taking over as the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback isn't the only life milestone Michael Penix Jr. is hitting this season. Penix proposed to his

What a stretch it has been Atlanta Falcons rookie Michael Penix Jr. First, it was announced he'd be taking over for veteran Kirk Cousins after the struggling starting quarterback threw one too many interceptions this season.

What an exciting past couple weeks it's been for Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Just days removed from being named the team's starting QB and helping lead them to a 34-7 win over the Giants,