Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. shares emotional moment with Kirk Cousins ahead of first NFL start
Falcons teammates Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins shared a prayer before the rookie quarterback made his first NFL start.
Former Washington star Penix Jr. – the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft – took over for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Cousins was benched for the rookie and the veteran quarterback is expected to be dropped by Atlanta.
But Cousins took the time to support his younger teammate in the minutes before Sunday’s game against New York.
The two quarterbacks were seen raising their hands together in prayer before exiting the tunnel and onto the field.
Atlanta was 7-7 – and still in contention to make the postseason – ahead of the game against the Giants.
Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins shared a prayer before the rookie made his first NFL start
The move comes after rookie Michael Penix Jr. was named the team’s starter moving forward
The 24-year-old Penix was named the Falcon’s “moving forward” quarterback this week by head coach Raheem Morris.
Cousins will reportedly be cut by the Atlanta Falcons before his $10 million roster bonus kicks in.
The 36-year-old signed a four-year contract worth $180 million – including $100 million guaranteed – with Atlanta this offseason, but according to ESPNCousins is expected to be released before his bonus kicks in on March 17.
Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract and can therefore refuse to be sent to another team.