Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. announced his engagement to girlfriend Olivia Carter on Saturday, just days after making his first NFL start on Dec. 22.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Penix Jr. steps in as Falcons' QB, aiming to energize their playoff run after Kirk Cousins' struggles. Find out more about him here.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft, authored a solid performance in the Atlanta Falcons' 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium,

The Atlanta Falcons kept rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in bubble wrap during the preseason, so it'll be trial by fire against the New York Giants on Sund

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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,