A lot goes into being a franchise quarterback, some much deeper than just the product on the field. The quarterback is the face of the franchise and, in many cases, the face of an entire city. There’s a responsibility that comes with the title that cannot be taken lightly. Kirk Cousins knows that as well as anybody, and Michael Penix Jr. appears to have taken some very detailed notes from the way he handled his first press conference as the Falcons starting quarterback.
“I was shopping at Costco and was getting a hot dog,” Penix said in regards to what he was doing when he found out the news that he would be starting against the Giants.
The rookie added that the excitement quickly curbed his appetite — a telling sign of the nerves that naturally come with preparing for such a monumental moment in his career. Despite the butterflies, Penix is determined to rise to the occasion. “I’m going to be nervous running out of that tunnel… but a flip will switch. I’ll be ready.”
Nothing can truly prepare a quarterback for the moment he’s been anxiously awaiting his entire life. Since Michael Penix Jr. was a kid running around the backyard, he’s dreamed of leading an NFL team out of the tunnel in front of the home crowd. It’s an opportunity he’ll have on Sunday at Mercedes Benz Stadium, and he acknowledged the Falcons faithful in Wednesday’s press conference, stating they deserve to see a show.
“I feel like we got the best fans in the league, so I feel like we should always put on a show for them…I gotta find a way to connect with the fans and for us it’s about winning football games. That’s what everyone wants to see,” via Bryce Lewis on X/Twitter.
The confidence Penix exudes is palpable. It’s not arrogance but rather a quiet assurance born from preparation. Since being drafted, he’s been soaking in knowledge and learning the ropes, particularly from Cousins, whom he greatly admires.
“I look up to Kirk. Kirk couldn’t do no wrong in my eyes… He’s special.”
After 13 years in the NFL, Kirk Cousins has forgotten more about football than Penix has learned to this point. Cousins’ mind is what’s allowed him to stay in the league for so long, becoming one of the richest quarterbacks in NFL history. Michael Penix isn’t going to have that sort of ability overnight. That kind of knowledge is learned over time, but Penix also brings a lot to the table that Cousins could never even dream of offering. His arm was made in a lab, and his overall athleticism is up there with the top athletes in the league. Penix knows his strengths, and he’s ready to be himself come Sunday.
“I just got to be myself,” Penix said. “I don’t feel like I got to be anybody else. I don’t have to try too hard to be the big leader, the vocal leader. Just be myself. Trust in my preparation and bring everybody along with me.”
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Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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