The Atlanta Falcons exchanged Christmas gifts in their locker room Monday and Tuesday, but starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have to wait for his preferred present. And it won't be under the tree when he wakes up Wednesday morning.

The Falcons have Penix set up well with an excellent run game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, good players to throw to like Drake London and Darnell Mooney (and maybe even Kyle Pitts if he can finally put it all together) and a sound offensive line to keep him upright. That will matter as Penix finds himself as an NFL quarterback.

The Kirk Cousins fiasco for the Atlanta Falcons led to a $180 million decision, and the winner was Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons. So far.

The Atlanta Falcons reclaimed the NFC South lead this weekend, defeating the New York Giants by a score of 34-7. Michael Penix Jr. impressed in his first real NFL action, becoming just the third Falcons rookie quarterback ever to win his first start.

The Michael Penix Jr. era has arrived in Atlanta. The Falcons rookie quarterback made his first start on Sunday, leading Atlanta to a dominant 34-7 win

Penix finished 18-for-27 for 202 yards, no touchdowns and a deflected interception. Two pick sixes by the defense helped a lot.

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback made his starting debut on Sunday, and he impressed one of the best defenders of all time.

It's unknown what the Atlanta Falcons were thinking when they inked quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal last offseason, only to break ties with him 12 months later. As reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter on Saturday,

An NFL insider recently explained why trading Kirk Cousins will be very difficult for the Atlanta Falcons. And his future

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins was a positive mentor for rookie Michael Penix Jr. on Sunday, which may have made him more money down the road.