The Atlanta Falcons have their eyes set on breaking a seven-year playoff drought. But the truth is, they will only go as far as second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will take them.
The Falcons shockingly took Penix with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he spent most of his rookie season sitting behind Kirk Cousins. While he took over as the starter late last season, it wasn’t more than a cup of coffee that set the prelude for what’s to come this season.
Penix’s first chance at a reveal will come when the Falcons converge for OTA workouts this week, but it already appears the 25-year-old has taken the initiative to impress his coaches this offseason.
Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris Hypes Michael Penix Jr. Ahead of OTAs
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris did his best to set the stage for his young quarterback when he talked to reporters on Monday morning. According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Morris praised Penix’s desire to learn and his ability to seek knowledge to help him become a better quarterback.
“I think I like to watch him search for the knowledge,” Morris said. “I like his approach. I like his open mindset. I like his ability to get the guys going every day.”
SI’s Daniel Flick also noted that Morris’s personality has already captivated the team and made him one of the team’s leaders heading into this week’s workouts.
“He’s got like a real unique receiver-vibe to him,” Morris said. “But he also has this mental sharpness and intelligence that you know, ‘Hold up, he’s a little different. Let me find a way to listen to what he’s saying.”
Penix’s performance on the field last year was a mixed bag. He had an impressive debut, completing 18-of-27 passes for 202 yards and an interception in a Week 16 win over the New York Giants, and notched his first 300-yard passing game with 312 yards in the season finale against the Carolina Panthers. But his numbers were middling overall, completing 58% of his passes for 737 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The second-year signal caller has had a positive offseason to date, however, as offensive coordinator Zac Robinson pointed out that Penix “can touch every part of the field” and has “got pretty much everything that you’re looking for” on the Check the Mic Podcast with Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson earlier this week.
If Penix takes a jump in his first full season as a starter, it should mean good things for the Falcons as they look to make their long-awaited return to the playoffs.