Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. discusses growing as leader amid odd Kirk Cousins situation

During the final week of May, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris insisted that second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was "finding his voice" as a leader amid the ongoing awkward situation involving backup Kirk Cousins. 

Penix has since addressed how he has been building chemistry with teammates during his first offseason as a full-time NFL starter. 

"I feel like I’ve done a lot better connecting with everybody around the team, not just offensive guys but defensive guys as well," Penix recently said, as shared by Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "Whether that’s doing things around the facility, eating lunch, or going out and playing golf. I like to get to know my teammates. I don’t think you can lead anybody if you don’t know them. You have to build relationships. I want to get to know those guys to know who can take certain leadership styles, if it’s verbal right there in the moment or if it’s pulling you to the side. Hanging out with them more, that’s it."

Penix couldn't help that the Falcons made him the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft less than two months after Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed in free agency. The 25-year-old then made two brief in-game appearances as a rookie before he replaced Cousins in the starting lineup after Week 14 of this past season. 

As for Cousins' situation, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated mentioned this past Monday that it's "become an out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing for the people" within the Falcons. Breer added that "the veteran’s been around less than a handful of times this spring...and has effectively blended in with the wallpaper when he has been in the building."

It's thought the Falcons could essentially let Cousins stay home through the summer to see if a team will trade for his services. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has given no indication he'll release Cousins before Week 1, but it's unclear if Fontenot could change his mind as Penix works to find his QB1 "voice" through the preseason.

"I think he’s been doing well owning that he’s the guy and that he’s going to be the guy," Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney said about Penix. "He’s done a good job of showing up every day. Just continue to show up."

One wonders if Penix will need to do more than "show up" once the games start to count to hold onto his starting job if Cousins agrees to begin the season on the Falcons' active roster as their QB2.