Many are wondering exactly what the plan will be for Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. this season.
The Falcons took Penix with the eighth overall pick of the NFL Draft back in April in spite of signing Kirk Cousins to a massive deal in free agency the month prior.
Atlanta’s decision to select Penix took most by surprise, including Cousins himself.
Whether Penix will actually get any snaps in 2024 remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: he will certainly get some playing time during the preseason.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris spoke about the plan for Penix in the team’s first exhibition game against the Miami Dolphins on Friday, and we may end up seeing a healthy dose of the University of Washington product.
“We haven’t really talked about playing time, but you’ll get a good look at Michael,” Morris said, via Terrin Waack of the Falcons’ official team website.
Morris added that we may not see Cousins at all.
Is Michael Penix Jr. the Falcons’ QB of the future?
The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year deal, but given that he is about to turn 36 years old and is coming off of a torn Achilles, the team may have been looking for some insurance for the future.
Apparently, they felt Penix was the answer.
Penix is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 65.4 percent of his passes en route to leading Washington all the way to the national championship game.
The 24-year-old spent six years in college, spending four seasons at Indiana before transferring to Washington in 2022 (he redshirted during his freshman year at Indiana).
Penix exploded in his debut campaign with the Huskies, totaling 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight picks while completing 65.3 percent of his throws.
A lack of mobility is a bit of a problem for Penix, but he has tremendous arm strength that makes him a tantalizing prospect moving forward.
Obviously, Michael Penix Jr.’s age is a bit of concern, as he will be 28 by the time Cousins’ deal expires. Will he end up waiting four years before ultimately supplanting Cousins under center? It remains to be seen.
The Falcons will open up their regular season Sept. 8 when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
