Atlanta Falcons finalize draft class, sign Michael Penix Jr.: contract details

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have officially signed their entire rookie class.

Atlanta, which had already signed seven of its eight selections, finalized a deal Friday with the last — and largest — missing piece, agreeing to terms with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., its first-round pick.

Penix, who was selected No. 8 overall, signed a four-year contract worth $22.88 million with a signing bonus of $13.46 million, according to the insider. NFL Jordan Schultz.

Atlanta had already signed its final four picks – fifth-round linebacker JD Bertrand and a sixth-round trio of running back Jase McClellan, receiver Casey Washington and defensive tackle Zion Logue – on May 10.

Second-round defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and third-round edge rusher Bralen Trice agreed to terms on May 15 and 19, respectively. Fourth-round defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus signed his contract on May 30.

All deals left Penix as the final unsigned selection, although he participated in every offseason workout from rookie minicamp to OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

Penix, 24, played at the University of Washington, finishing second last season in Heisman Trophy voting after racking up 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns in 15 games.

In his two years with the Huskies, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Penix started in all 28 games, completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions during that time. period.

In Atlanta, Penix will serve as an understudy to starting signal-caller Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract this spring. The Falcons are giving Cousins ​​a $100 million guarantee over the next two seasons, meaning Penix likely won’t see the field until 2026 at the earliest.

But now the business side of Penix’s professional career is settled. The football part gets closer to becoming a reality on July 24, when he arrives in Flowery Branch for his first NFL training camp.