The Atlanta Falcons made a change under center against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Atlanta signed quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. in the fourth quarter when the Falcons trailed 38-6. Cousins ​​had 173 passing yards and an interception on 18 of 27 passing yards.

Cousins ​​is coming off a solid year in his first season with the Falcons. Entering Sunday’s matchup, he had 2,634 passing yards, third-most in the league, and 17 touchdowns, fourth-most in the league. He had thrown eight interceptions.

The performance marks the second for Penix in his young career. He played briefly against the Seattle Seahawks in late October, completing his only pass attempt for 14 yards. On Sunday, he completed two of his four passes for 24 yards.

A 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist, Penix had 4,903 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his final collegiate season at Washington.

Despite an excellent season that ended with a loss in the national championship game, some fans were a bit surprised to see Atlanta take him with the No. 8 pick in the draft. The main reason was his age (24) and the fact that the Falcons had just signed Cousins ​​to a four-year, $180 million deal.

While he suffered a blowout on Sunday, it was another opportunity for Penix to show the Falcons what he could do.