After taking over under center for Kirk Cousins last season, 2024 No. 8 overall draft pick Michael Penix Jr. is set to begin his first season as the Atlanta Falcons' full-time starting quarterback. His journey begins with a Week 1 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and although Penix did not face the NFC South rival team last season, Falcons fans have no reason to doubt the second-year QB.
On a team that struggled defensively last season, tied with the Washington Commanders for the 22nd-most points per game allowed (24.9 PPG), Penix's ability to maintain his composure under pressure and get the ball to the playmakers around him will be crucial. With younger QBs taking over the league with their stellar play early in their careers, could it be Penix's time to join them and get the Falcons back on track?
Falcons' Week 1 Success and Beyond Hinges on Michael Penix Jr.'s Performance
When Penix was finally given an opportunity as Atlanta's starter, he led the Falcons to a blowout win over the New York Giants, only to suffer a pair of heartbreaking overtime losses to the Commanders and Carolina Panthers. It's a new season, though, meaning he must prove himself all over again if he wants Atlanta to get off to a 1-0 start.
What could prove troublesome for Penix, especially against a Buccaneers team that typically boasts a strong defense, is a banged-up offensive line surrounding him. Starting right tackle Kaleb McGary (left leg) and backup Storm Norton (ankle) are both on injured reserve. That will likely force Penix to rely more on his legs and use his dual-threat ability to make up for the offensive line issues.
If Penix can handle the pressure he is sure to see, he will definitely have the weapons around him to be successful. Wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts provide a lot of explosiveness. London (1,271 yards, 9 TDs) and Pitts (602 yards, 4 TDs) combined for nearly 1,900 receiving yards and 13 scores last season, while Robinson led the team with 1,456 rush yards and was tied for the fifth-most rushing TDs (14) in the NFL.
There is no doubt that Penix is under a lot of pressure as the Falcons' full-time starting QB, not to mention going against a Todd Bowles defense that has had tremendous success disguising its coverage. While that has traditionally made it difficult for younger signal-callers to find their target and advance the ball, Penix has a chance to prove otherwise.
A year removed from Cousins leading Atlanta to a sweep of its division rival, Penix will look to begin his full-time career as a starter with a win on Sunday. Beyond that, the trajectory of the team's season will hinge on how he performs and handles the pressure he is already facing before the season even begins.