Heading into the 2025 season, Atlanta Falcons fans were excited for the expected emergence of Michael Penix Jr. The second-year quarterback was finally going to step into the starting role and was expected to be an instant answer to the position. Fast forward, and Atlanta's offense couldn't get out of its own way, and Penix often came up short in the clutch. The Falcons suffered a slow start, and Penix's season would end with the third knee injury of his playing career. This was a concern for him coming out of college with two ACL tears.
Now, Penix's first season as a pro has ended in the same fashion, and fans have every reason to doubt he is going to be able to return and stay upright. Added to this drama is Kirk Cousins, who is under contract for two more seasons and is currently on a three-game winning streak, boasting a 4-2 record since taking over in Week 12.
No question, Penix not only has his future in question due to health concerns, but also due to Cousins' resurgence. For the Falcons, it is a frustratingly familiar situation. The franchise has two quarterbacks, both with major concerns and no reason to implicitly trust either starter heading into the offseason.
Michael Penix Jr. May Have Lost Falcons Starting QB Job
Before going down with his injury, Penix had only made nine appearances with the Falcons, completing 166-of-276 (60.1%) passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns to three interceptions, and an 88.5 passer rating. Although those aren't the worst stats, his 3-6 record along the way didn't do him any favors, nor did the fact that he fumbled the ball four times.
Even if Penix can prove himself fully healthy ahead of the 2026 season, there is reason to wonder if the coaching staff rolls with Cousins as the starter. This will be all the more likely if Atlanta can find a way to beat the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's finale, ending the season on a four-game winning streak and falling just a game short of winning the NFC South.
With this in mind, it is fair to wonder if the Falcons opt to encourage Penix to take extra time to recover from the partial ACL tear and put the quarterback on ice to begin the 2026 season. No matter the answer, it is clear that his standing in the organization has taken a major hit, while Cousins has put himself back into the conversation as a potential starting option. It's a QB conundrum that few Falcons fans imagined being a possibility.
No longer is the starting job simply going to be handed back to the first-round pick; Penix is going to be forced to go out and prove he can stay healthy and is the superior option. Something unlikely to happen leading into the 2026 season, if the Falcons win the final game against the Saints and have a compelling case that Cousins could be the answer for at least one more season.