Some people might need more than three games to make an informed decision on whether Michael Penix Jr. is the guy for the Falcons. I’m not one of them.
The 8th overall pick from a year ago only started three games in place of Kirk Cousins, but everything I wanted to see, I saw. The southpaw showed off his arm in ways we haven’t seen, maybe ever, in Atlanta.
The ability to layer throws, drive the ball into tight windows, the confidence to make those throws, and create out of structure were all on full display. Of course, he sprayed a bit in the Commanders game, but that was apparent when Penix was coming out of Washington. More than anything, when the Falcons had to have it, Michael Penix delivered.
Against the Commanders, Penix drove the offense 68 yards and found Kyle Pitts for his first NFL touchdown. And against the Panthers the following week, Penix led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to tie the ball game, both being 70+ yards.
The poise was unbelievable to see from a rookie, and it really made you question why the Falcons held onto Kirk Cousins for so long, but that’s neither here nor there. What’s important is the Falcons have their franchise quarterback, and Pro Football Focus believes the same, dubbing Penix Atlanta’s top breakout candidate for the 2025 campaign.
“It’s tough not to be encouraged by what Penix showed during his limited starting stint in 2024. Over the last three weeks of the season, Penix’s 84.0 PFF passing grade ranked eighth among qualifiers and his 8.5% big-time throw rate placed third,” Locker wrote. “Beyond that, Penix was responsible for only two turnover-worthy plays on 108 dropbacks.
“With the Falcons retaining a stellar offensive nucleus and a strong offensive line, all the pieces are in place for the Washington product to take off next year.”
While there are other breakout candidates for the Falcons, like Troy Andersen, Arnold Ebiketie and the entire 2024 draft class, none are more important than Michael Penix Jr. The entire organization now rests on his shoulders.
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John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
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