On a day when Bo Nix played brilliantly, fellow rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a brief appearance in the game during garbage time.
This is the reality of the NFL — not all rookies start right away, especially when the team that drafts them has just signed an expensive free-agent quarterback.
Nix showed the potential everyone expected, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns, setting season highs in both categories, and leading the Denver Broncos to a 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
On the other side, Penix came in during the fourth quarter for cleanup duty. He completed 2 of 4 passes, giving Falcons fans a glimpse of what the future might hold, whenever that time comes.
For now, Penix is staying prepared and learning as much as he can from veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“Each and every day, I just try my best to be prepared,” Penix said. “Just watching Kirk and seeing how he goes about his day, and how he operates at a high level. Just trying to feed off of that, so that whenever I do get in the game, I’m ready for those moments.”
Penix was drafted eighth overall in a deep quarterback class, following Caleb Williams (Chicago), Jayden Daniels (Washington), and Drake Maye (New England) who were all picked before him. These quarterbacks are all playing, facing some challenges, but also offering hope to their teams’ fans.
Nix, drafted at number 12, is also living up to expectations. He was named NFL Rookie of the Week after a loss to Kansas City.
Penix is still waiting for more playing time. Sunday’s game marked only his second appearance. He threw just one pass in Week 7 against Seattle.
Penix, a left-handed quarterback, is fully embracing his role as the backup and learning as much as he can from the veteran, Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in March. This was just a month before Atlanta surprised many by selecting Penix in the draft.
On game days, Penix stays on the sideline, listening on the headset, and mentally preparing by thinking about what he would do in various situations.
“It’s different being on the sideline than being in the game, but the best I can, just going through the reads, looking at the guys based on our reads,” Penix said. “Taking mental reps and trying to see what coverages they give us, different looks they give us.”
Penix completed his first pass of the game with about nine minutes left, connecting with Ray-Ray McCloud III for a 20-yard gain. He completed another pass but couldn’t remember to whom.
Kirk Cousins helped him recall it: KhaDarel Hodge for a 4-yard gain. “Oh, yeah, yeah,” Penix said with a smile.
This wasn’t a game for Penix to be evaluated, said coach Raheem Morris. It was just a chance to get Cousins out of the game, as things were quickly getting out of hand.
Cousins finished 18 of 27 for 173 yards with an interception, and the Falcons were kept out of the end zone while Denver outgained Atlanta 400 yards to 226.
With a bye week ahead, it was a chance to rest Cousins before the NFC South-leading Falcons (6-5) face the Los Angeles Chargers on December 1.
“Penix got us out of the game, the game that got away from us and did a nice job of doing that,” Morris said. “Nothing to talk about. Michael Penix wasn’t being graded on that. He was able to get us out of the game a little bit healthier.”
