Flowery Branch, Ga. – As Michael Penix Jr. is entering his first full season as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback, he is learning what it takes to be a leader in the NFL.

Penix got some experience as a team leader on Tuesday when the Falcons held their first organized team activities.

The Falcons began Phase 3 of the offseason by getting out on the field and doing individual drills and a few noncontact team periods.

“I'm excited,” Penix said after two hours of voluntary outdoor practice. “We get to be out there against the defense and work real football. I can't wait for this season.”

Penix, who was drafted eighth overall by Atlanta in 2024, started the Falcons' final three regular-season games and completed 58 of 100 passes for 737 yards with three touchdown passes and three interceptions in those starts. Kirk Cousins (Michigan State) led the Falcons to a 6-3 start last season but lost his job after struggling with interceptions.

Penix described his growth over his first full offseason knowing he is the starting quarterback.

“The one that I want to point (to) is just connecting with the guys,” Penix said. “I feel like I've done a lot better with connecting with everybody around the team. Not just offensive guys but defensive guys as well. Whether that's just around the facility eating lunch or going out and playing golf with some of them. Don't ask about my golf game.”

Second-year Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Penix is “finding his voice” as a leader.

“When you take over that quarterback spot, there's a certain humility about playing the position,” Morris said. ”Then it (comes) a certain confidence about playing the position. Eventually it turns into a little bit of an arrogance about playing the position where it's non-negotiable. We're not there yet. I don't think we will be for a little bit, but I think he's at the mode of where he's starting to get that confidence to be able to figure out how to get to that point."

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who also is in his second year with the Falcons after signing a three-year contract ahead of the 2024 season, said Penix has done a good job of undertaking a leadership role so far.

“I think he's been doing well owning that he's the guy and that he's (going to) be the guy,” Mooney said. “He's doing a good job showing up every day. He's more quiet and can play around a little bit but he's really just a chill guy."

Graham signs rookie deal

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham signed his rookie contract on Tuesday.

The four-year deal is worth reportedly $40.8 million with a $26.3 million signing bonus. Graham was the fifth overall pick after Cleveland traded its second overall pick to Jacksonville to move down three spots. The Jaguars took Travis Hunter after moving up.

The Browns also got Jacksonville’s second- and fourth-rounders and the Jaguars’ 2026 first-rounder.

Graham was a first-team selection on the Associated Press All-America team at Michigan. He had 45 tackles, seven sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss last season. Graham was the defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl during Michigan’s national championship season in 2023.

No jitters for Allen

If Josh Allen is experiencing any pre-wedding jitters, they weren’t evident when the Buffalo Bills opened voluntary practices on Tuesday.

The quarterback, who is engaged to actor and singer Hailee Steinfeld, looked his usual, outgoing self. He danced in the huddle to the music being played over the loudspeakers, barked out plays behind center and joined the celebration in the end zone after completing a perfectly placed pass to Curtis Samuel.

Allen even had time to chat with new Bills minority owner and former NBA star Vince Carter on the sideline before jogging off the field without speaking to reporters following the session.

Though the date and location of the wedding have not been disclosed, Bills tackle Dion Dawkins revealed it was May 31 during an interview on the NFL Network in March. Dawkins has since told The Rich Eisen Show, “I ain’t know anything about that.”

The wedding is scheduled to take place over one of the next two weekends, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the date is private.

Coach Sean McDermott acknowledged how important the NFL MVP’s presence was at practice in light of his busy offseason schedule.

“I think it says everything, right? He is the face of our organization. He’s the leader of our team,” McDermott said. “Like any leader, in particular the leader of the team, those words that he says and his actions are exponentially impactful, to the whole roster, the whole team.”

As for Allen showing any pre-wedding nerves, McDermott laughed at the attempt to have him disclose the wedding date.

“Good try on that,” he said, before adding: “But he is as confident and as calm, cool and collected as he always is.”

Allen, who turned 29 last week, and the 28-year-old Steinfeld were engaged during the Bills bye week in November, when the quarterback proposed on a California cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The two were first linked in the spring of 2023, when they were photographed dining together in New York City. Steinfeld has since begun attending Bills home games, and the couple hosted a Halloween party. The couple was inseparable at the NFL Awards ceremony in February, when Allen credited Steinfeld upon accepting the league’s MVP honor.