- Atlanta turns heads with bizarre pick: Falcons draft QB Michael Penix Jr. despite trading for Kirk Cousins
- Atlanta Falcons forfeit fifth-round pick, fined for tampering with Kirk Cousins
Many fans and followers wanted to see the new guy in town, but it was not precisely Kirk Cousins. Atlanta Falcons faithful saw Michael Penix Jr. and at least for his first appearance in his new uniform, the people were pleased.
The rookie out of Washington was the eighth overall pick in the past NFL Draft and in his debut completed nine of 16 passes for 104 yards while having the controls for five drives, playing into the second quarter.
"It felt good to go out there and compete with my brothers," Penix told reporters after the game. "Just having fun out there and playing the game I've been playing since I was five years old. So, no nerves, no jitters, just ready to go."
His coach also enjoyed what he saw
The fact that he was drafted after all the money the team committed to Kirk Cousins was a surprise, many still don't understand but at least for now they will try to work it out as they have it for now.
"It was fun to see him go out there and execute some of the pass plays and we were able to get some of the stuff done," coach Raheem Morris said after the game, via NFL.com. "Pretty much, a really good night for him and I was really pleased with what he was able to do."
The veteran Cousins has his job to lose but after the success he had individually in Minnesota, it is important for him to have similar results for him to play out his contract and be starter in Atlanta.