The Atlanta Falcons will undergo a quarterback transition. With veteran Kirk Cousins struggling, the Falcons named Michael Penix Jr. their starter for Week 16 against the New York Giants. The Falcons are moving on from Cousins despite giving him a four-year, $180 million contract this offseason.
The Falcons shocked the football world by selecting Penix with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft despite signing Cousins. However, Atlanta found it hard to pass on a player who became a First-Team All-American and Maxwell Award winner last year. Penix is also a two-time Second-Team All-Pac-12 member and the 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year winner.
The rookie QB makes his first start in Week 16 @themikepenix pic.twitter.com/zYjRUwpzNY
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2024
Penix had a 25-3 record as a starter in two seasons with the Washington Huskies, tallying 725 completions for 9,544 yards, 77 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. The transferee from Indiana added seven rushing touchdowns out of 100 yards.
Before his first NFL start, Penix appeared in two games, completing three passes for 38 yards. More importantly, he’s getting the start while the Falcons are in the thick of the NFC South race. Atlanta is a game behind division leaders Tampa Bay Buccaneers with three regular-season games left. After the Giants, the Falcons will travel to Washington and face the Commanders before hosting the Carolina Panthers in the season finale.
-Lance Fernandez