ATLANTA – Michael Penix Jr. was ready for the moment, and the Falcons can breathe a sigh of relief for at least another week because he was.

In Penix’s first professional start after the Falcons drafted him No. 8 overall in April, he was exactly what he was advertised to be. His passes had a noticeable momentum. His decision making was clear. He was running clean, considering he only had two real practices as the Falcons’ starting quarterback after Atlanta decided Tuesday night that he would replace Kirk Cousins ​​as the starter.

In the Falcons’ decisive 34-7 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, Penix was 18 of 27 through the air for 202 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown but came close a few times, with Bijan Robinson and Drake London both apologizing to the rookie quarterback after consecutive plays for failing to put a Penix pass into the end zone. He threw an interception, but that’s not high praise for Penix considering Kyle Pitts spun the ball around and threw it into the arms of a waiting defender.

By all appearances, Penix ran the Falcons’ offense with poise and skill. That’s a good sign for what his future in the league could look like, but it also validates (for now) the Falcons’ decision to sign him in the first place.

Head coach Raheem Morris said the rookie quarterback’s performance on Sunday was one he would describe as “pleasing” for “the organization.”

“The plan came a little early,” Morris said, referring to the fact that he and general manager Terry Fontenot expected Cousins ​​to be the Falcons’ starter for at least a few years before Penix took the reins . “But the boy was ready and we had plenty of time to develop him. The boy himself did a great job of preparing for the moment when it wasn’t too big. I was really proud and happy with the effort.”

The Falcons’ win highlighted what the front office and coaching staff are hoping for in terms of the stability they want at the quarterback position. Since Fontenot took over as general manager in 2021, the Falcons have used six different quarterbacks in four seasons. It is paramount that Penix – as the No. 6 starting quarterback – not only looks good, but becomes an integral part of the offense.

The Falcons have said since drafting Penix that they have confidence in him and the future he could have in this league. That confidence came to fruition on Sunday. And even if Morris wouldn’t use the word “relief” to describe the feeling of the moment, I can and will.

“I don’t know if it’s a feeling of relief, but watching him during the game, I knew that we created the situations in practice that made it difficult for him,” Morris said. “…But just watching him do it was more fun than actual relief. It wasn’t a relief. For me it was a feeling of pride.”

Proud – the Falcons hope – to have made the right decision at one of the most important positions in the entire sport.

Because timing is everything, right? At least for the Falcons in 2024.

If you wanted to let Penix take the reins of the offense during a playoff push, now is the time to do it against a struggling Giants team. If you were trying to set Penix up for success, it would be helpful to do so when the Falcons’ defensive game heats up. If you were to let Penix control the offensive scheme, it would only be a plus to do so as Robinson tears the defense apart piece by piece. The timing was right for the Falcons and Penix, especially as they play their most important game yet on the road next week against the Washington Commanders.

But for now, the Falcons can be confident in their decision to go with Penix.