Michael Penix Jr.’s Falcons journey kicked off at Costco with girlfriend
Michael Penix Jr. found out that he is the starting quarterback by replacing Kirk Cousins while in a queue for a hotdog at Costco.
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Michael Penix Jr. (Image via IMAGO)
Michael Penix Jr. is a Costco guy. The rookie was at one of the big conglomerate’s stores when the Atlanta Falcons front office called and told him that he was replacing Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback.
On Tuesday, news broke that the Falcons were benching Cousins even after they defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 a day before. The veteran under center threw one touchdown and one interception in the game, but it was enough to make him the unwanted leader of most picks thrown in 2024 with 16.
The 7-7 Falcons’ hierarchy saw enough and opted for the drastic decision to start Penix instead of Cousins with only three games left in the regular season. While it drew a lot of questionable stirs from the media, a section of the Falcons supporters welcomed the decision with open arms.
Penix, meanwhile, was in the local Costco, buying a hot dog when he got the call from his team.
I was actually shopping. I was with my girlfriend at Costco… getting a hotdog and whenever I got the call I was hungry no more.
Michael Penix Jr. said.
So turns out, Michael Penix Jr. found out he would be #Falcons QB1 while getting a hotdog at @Costco with his girlfriend ??@FOX5Sports @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/mZ5G2ScAQ7
— Mary Alex Anders- Fox 5 Sports (@maryalexanders_) December 19, 2024
He better be hungry when the Falcons play the New York Giants in week 16. It’s a great opportunity for him to lay claim to the starting QB job at Atlanta.
Michael Penix Jr. must start off on the right track for the Falcons
The Falcons shopped for Penix for an occasion like this. It did not matter that they had signed a $180 million contract with Cousins a few months ago. Penix’s addition kept Cousins on his toes, and he won seven games, but most of the wins came against below .500 teams. They struggled to beat teams with a positive record.
The Falcons’ final three games are against the Giants, Commanders, and Panthers, from which only the Washington side is above .500. Defeating all three will take the Falcons to ten wins, increasing their chances of a wild card spot.
Zac Robinson, the Falcons offensive coordinator, has complete faith in Penix’s skill set as a quarterback.
We just felt like Michael was the best option for us going forward… I don’t think anybody is going to have to say anything to keep Penix calm. He’s about as cool as they come.
Zac Robinson told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi.
Robinson: I don't think anybody is going to have to say anything to keep Penix calm. He's about as cool as they come. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) December 18, 2024
It’s an uphill battle for the Falcons to sneak into the playoffs. Besides a few late half appearances, the Giants fixture will be the first time Penix will see the team as his own. If he can replicate the final year at Washington State, where he threw 363 completions for 4903 yards (65.4% completion rate), and 36 touchdowns, then perhaps the Falcons have a future franchise quarterback in their hands.
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Ishan Misra
(3095 Articles Published)