Although Week 7 didn’t go the Atlanta Falcons’ way, the club did get to see a glimpse of its first-round pick on Sunday.
With the Falcons amid a blowout defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Raheem Morris sat veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and inserted rookie Michael Penix Jr. for his NFL debut.
Michael Penix Jr. Makes NFL Debut After Falcons Sit Kirk Cousins
Cousins had completed 24 of 35 attempts for 232 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions before departing. One of Counsins’ picks came on Atlanta’s penultimate offensive drive when he was intercepted by Seahawks defensive back Coby Bryant.
Seattle went three-and-out on their ensuing drive before the Falcons inserted Penix with 3:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Atlanta was trailing 34-14.
Unfortunately for Falcons fans who wanted to see Penix in action, the No. 8 overall pick didn’t get to do much on Sunday.
Penix handled seven snaps in his NFL debut. He handed the ball off to running back Jase McClellan on six of those plays.
However, Penix did connect on his first pro pass attempt. Facing 3rd-and-2, Penix found fellow rookie Casey Washington for a 14-yard gain.
Two former Dawgs reunited. pic.twitter.com/thgOHpW7sK
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks)
Cousins will return as Atlanta’s starting quarterback when the Falcons play a crucial Week 8 contest against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta fell to 4-3 on Sunday, while the Bucs are 4-2 pending their Monday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
While Cousins struggled against Seattle in Week 7, the Falcons must be pleased with their investment to this point. Cousins needed a few games to adapt to a new offensive environment, but he ranks 10th in QBR, even after accounting for Sunday’s performance.
Cousins was reportedly “stunned” when Atlanta drafted Penix in the first round of April”s draft, just weeks after giving the veteran quarterback a four-year, $180 million contract with $90 million fully guaranteed.
Although Cousins’ pact will likely lock him as the Falcons’ starter through 2026, Penix is undoubtedly the club’s quarterback of the future. He should be expected to receive in-game reps if Atlanta plays in another blowout.
