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Michael Penix Jr. Was At Costco When He Got The Big Phone Call

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 7:22 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a great answer when he was asked what he was doing when he got the call about being named the new starting quarterback.

He told reporters that he was shopping at Costco and getting a hot dog when the call came through.

“I was shopping at Costco and was getting a hotdog," Penix Jr. said.

Penix Jr. was named the starting quarterback on Tuesday evening after the Falcons barely beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, 15-9. The game highlighted more of Kirk Cousins's struggles and head coach Raheem Morris had seen enough.

They want to get a real look at Penix Jr. over these last three games even though they're still alive in the playoff race. They're a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first in the NFC South.

Penix Jr. was taking eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after the Falcons signed Cousins during free agency in March. The pick stunned the NFL world since they just signed Cousins to a multi-year deal and picked one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

Their plan was to have Penix Jr. sit behind Cousins for the entire season but that timeline has now come forward since Cousins has struggled this season. Over his last five games, Cousins has only thrown one touchdown pass compared to nine interceptions.

The Falcons enter this Sunday's game against the Giants with a 7-7 record after Monday's win over the Raiders. If they win out while the Bucs drop just one of their last three games, they'll win the NFC South since they have the tiebreaker.

They beat the Bucs twice during the regular season, giving them the tiebreaker.

Kickoff for Sunday's Falcons-Giants game will be at 1 p.m. ET. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnson will have the call for FOX.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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