FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The smile on Michael Penix Jr.'s face was the only thing that gave away his excitement.
Otherwise, the rookie was cool, calm and collected in his first press conference as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback Wednesday evening. His voice remained even through the 15-minute question-and-answer session. A laugh barely snuck out when he admitted he was at Costco in line for a hot dog when Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson called him with the promotion the night before.
"I got a lot of feelings," Penix said. "I don't know what they are, but I'm just ready to play."
News broke late Tuesday that Penix will be the Falcons’ starting quarterback Sunday against the New York Giants (1 p.m. ET, FOX). Kirk Cousins will be a backup for the first time in a decade.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said the biggest reason behind the decision was Cousins' uptick in turnovers over the course of the last month. Cousins understood the decision, even calling Penix after having that conversation with Morris.
"I just let him know I'd be in his corner and supporting him and trying to help him any way I can," Cousins said. "The quarterback room when I'm playing, it's a working force to help us all, and it's the same now. That doesn't change."
That might not, but there have been other notable changes already.
When reviewing film, coaches now first turn to Penix rather than Cousins when – for example – discussing what he sees and prefers on a certain route.
Wednesday also marked the first walk-through practice in which Penix worked solely with the first-team offense. The unit ran about 70 plays. Their new starter was in for every one.
Penix took it all in stride.
"His heart just beats very slow, which is a good thing," Robinson said. "He has a ton of poise, which is what makes him a good player. Even in the meeting room, (he's) bringing up a couple things. And once you're the guy in the huddle, you got to control. He did a good job with that today, and he'll continue to get better throughout the week."
Thursday will be the Falcons' first full practice of Week 16. Penix and Robinson expect they will spend extra time on the field afterward, especially with the receivers, to further help the transition of power.
It's not out of worry, though.
"I just got to be myself," Penix said. "I don't feel like I got to be anybody else. I don't have to try too hard to be the big leader, the vocal leader. Just be myself. Trust in my preparation and bring everybody along with me."
From the moment he arrived in Atlanta as the No. 8 overall draft pick, Penix has maintained he will always go about his daily business as if he’s the starter regardless of the situation. He knew Cousins initially held the role. He also knew better than to ever get caught on his heels if that was no longer the case.
Technically, Sunday will not mark Penix's NFL debut. He previously appeared in two games -- the Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and the Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos -- in what Robinson called cleanup duty. He took a grand total of 20 snaps, completing three of his five passes for 38 yards.
What makes Sunday different – special -- is the start inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"I ain't going to lie, I'm going to be nervous running out of that tunnel," Penix said. "But whenever I get on the field, it's a whole different mentality, a flipped switch. I'm ready to go."
