Falcons name Tampa Bay’s Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback and benching veteran Kirk Cousins as they fight for their first playoff berth since 2017. Penix, who grew up in Dade City, starred at Tampa Bay Tech, Indiana and Washington before the Falcons selected him No. 8 overall in the NFL draft.