Life comes at you fast: one second, you're about to eat one of the most affordable meals you could find in this inflation driven world; the next you're getting a call finding out that you're the new starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. At least, that was the case for Michael Penix Jr. - who found out that he was getting the starting job for Atlanta while he was shopping at Costco with his girlfriend.
![[Penix takes over from the previous starter - former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/02/93299761-14208305-image-m-119_1734575282539.jpg)
As he told reporters, he was about to buy one of the warehouse store's famous $1.50 hot dogs when he got the call from head coach Raheem Morris about the change - and from there, he immediately lost his appetite. 'As you can imagine, it was some nerves, it was excitement, but I'm just super blessed to be in this position, super blessed to be on this team for the opportunity,' Penix said.
![[Cousins put up an awful performance on Monday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/02/93258671-14203957-image-m-58_1734488565820.jpg)
Penix takes over from the previous starter, Kirk Cousins - who has been struggling in his transition from Minnesota to Atlanta this season after signing a four-year, $180million contract with the Falcons. After a poor performance against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, Falcons coach Raheem Morris pulled the plug on Cousins and will now start the rookie out of the University of Washington.
![[Against a team he should've easily handled, he passed for 112 yards, a TD and an interception]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/02/93258665-14203957-image-a-59_1734488594092.jpg)
Michael Penix Jr. said he was at Costco about to buy a hot dog when he was informed by head coach Raheem Morris that he'd be taking over as starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Penix takes over from the previous starter - former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
![[The decision to take Penix eighth overall, which was questioned at the time, seems to have paid off for Atlanta - as they look to make a playoff push with three games to go]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/02/93258245-14203957-image-a-56_1734488534414.jpg)
