The Atlanta Falcons have made a plethora of head-scratching decisions since their last playoff appearance in 2017. From forcing Matt Ryan out of the organization in pursuit of Deshaun Watson to the recent signing of Kirk Cousins, the organization has lacked a consistent vision
But there’s hope on the horizon. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. represents a potential turning point, and this Sunday, the Falcons face a do-or-die matchup against the Washington Commanders. With a playoff berth at stake, Penix has an opportunity to cement himself as the future of the franchise.
Michael Penix Jr. Legacy Game
This year’s rookie quarterback class has been nothing short of remarkable. Jayden Daniels has already ascended to stardom in Washington, Bo Nix looks like the long-awaited answer in Denver, and Drake Maye has been a quiet revelation for the Patriots despite their struggles. Now, it’s Michael Penix Jr.’s turn to deliver his own statement in primetime.
Sunday Night Football presents a legacy-defining opportunity for Penix. Yes, expecting a rookie to lead his team to a crucial road victory in just his second career start—against a playoff-caliber opponent, no less—might be overly optimistic. But this is exactly the type of moment that can turn skeptics into believers and etch Penix’s name into Atlanta’s future plans.
The hardest thing to do in professional sports is find a franchise quarterback. Organizations can go decades in search of one. There wouldn’t be a better Christmas present for Atlanta sports fans than Michael Penix Jr. leading the Falcons to a win over the Commanders.
The End Of Terry Fontenot’s Tenure As Falcons General Manager
At this point, I’m not really sure what Terry Fontenot does for the Falcons. He hasn’t been heard from since the offseason, and there were already questions about how much weight his word carries inside the building.
Since taking over as general manager of the Falcons in 2021, Terry Fontenot hasn’t done much good. He’s hit on some free agents, but his drafting has been abysmal, and the decision hand Kirk Cousins $90 million in guarantees for just 14 games is a fireable offense.
There’s a chance Michael Penix Jr. can save everybody’s job by leading the Falcons to the playoffs, but Fontenot should not be safe regardless of what happens over the final two games. Atlanta needs to get a real GM in the building, one with a track record of success in the draft.
A Revamped Falcons Pass Rush
The Falcons have been searching for a pass rush for over a decade. They haven’t finished inside the top 10 in sacks since 2004, and they rank dead last with 26 sacks this season. However, Jimmy Lake’s unit has showed some promise getting after the quarterback since the team’s bye week. The Falcons rank first with 16 sacks over the last four weeks, and while some of that can be attributed to the competition, there’s some reason for optimism moving forward.
The Falcons’ pass rush should remain the top offseason priority. No matter how promising Penix may be, the team’s long-term success hinges on sustained improvement along the defensive line. Investing heavily in pass rushers—both in free agency and the draft—will be critical to complementing Penix and solidifying the team’s future.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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