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.

Two rookie quarterbacks - the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. and Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels - will share the spotlight on Sunday Night Football.

While Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick, has led Washington all season, the Falcons tapped Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall pick, to be Atlanta's starter last week after the team benched veteran Kirk Cousins.

Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards in his first career start, helping the Atlanta Falcons post a 34-7 rout of the visiting New York Giants on Sunday.

The identity of the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Giants has been revealed, and it will be rookie Michael Penix, Jr. "We have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward," head coach Raheem Morris said, per the Falcons’ official team website.

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

Michael Penix Jr. is starting his NFL career as an engaged man. The Atlanta Falcons rookie QB who had his first NFL game against the New York Giants at home winning, 34-7, announced that he is engaged to his girlfriend Olivia Carter.

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,