Michael Penix Jr. announces his engagement to his girlfriend Olivia Carter

From one milestone to the next.

Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. announced his engagement to girlfriend Olivia Carter on Saturday, just days after his first NFL start on Dec. 22.

“The sweetest love ❤️ Olivia and Michael 12/24/2024,” read the caption of a joint Instagram post shared on Penix and Carter’s pages, revealing that the proposal happened on Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Penix, 24, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, popped the question in a dreamy location with red roses, red candles and large letters that read “Marry Me.”

According to People, the couple has been together since at least November 2023. Last year they celebrated Christmas together.

Carter, a University of Nevada, Reno graduate and former college football player, was at Penix’s side in April when the Falcons surprisingly selected him in the first round of the NFL draft – weeks after the team selected veteran Kirk Cousins ​​for four Years was signed to a $180 million contract in free agency.

“When you add a quality player like that with his intangibles and those tools, he’s a winner. Very, very excited. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said of Penix following the draft.

“Kirk Cousins ​​is our quarterback. We’re very excited about Kirk, we’re very excited about our team. Michael Penix is, we’re talking about the future. The draft is: You look into the future and look at the bigger picture.

“But we’re really excited about that quarterback room. And again, Kirk is our quarterback, but the addition of Michael Penix is ​​thinking about the future.”

Cousins’ tenure as the Falcons’ starting quarterback lasted 14 games, as the former Vikings star was benched before Atlanta’s game against the Giants in Week 16.

The 36-year-old quarterback has thrown 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this season and completed 66.9 percent of his passes.

In his NFL debut last Sunday, Penix went 18-for-27 with 202 yards and one interception in Atlanta’s 34-7 win.

Penix and the Falcons (8-7) visit the Commanders (10-5) this week on “Sunday Night Football.”