Michael Penix
Jr

As he took over in Atlanta in 2025, Penix made sure he was doing an important part of his job – syncing up with his pass-catchers. With the quarterback turning that connection, and hats something that argulus every day.

Penix turned pro in 2024 with a dynamite deep ball preinstalled. He made sure to show it off before his rookie season powered down. In Week 18, the first-year passer torched the Carolina secondary for 312 passing yards and two touchdowns on 21 completions, including seven completions of at least 20 yards.

Penix was prepared when the Falcons gave him the starting nod down the stretch of his 2024 rookie season. \"I just continued to stay ready,\" he told NBC Sports. \"I didn\'t know what was gonna happen. It\'s not in our hands, so for me, I always just controlled what I could control. I wasn\'t overthinking anything.\"

For Penix, connections aren't just for the football field. They're for the locker room. "I want to get to know my teammates," the second-year pro said entering 2025 as the unquestioned QB1 in Atlanta. "Because then once you get to know them, now you know how to lead those guys."

For Penix, connections aren't just for the football field. They're for the locker room. "I want to get to know my teammates, the scoring and stuff will come," he said entering 2025 as the unquestioned QB1 in Atlanta. "Because that's where you get to know them…how you know how to read those guys."

Penix shined down the stretch during his 2024 debut season, teasing a high-flying offense that had Falcons fans excited for the future. Showing off his massive left arm, the southpaw passer averaged 10.1 air yards per attempt, which would have ranked second in the NFL had he qualified.

Michael nearly guided the Falcons to a win against the Commanders in his second career start in 2024. In his second try against them, he got the job done. Penix notched his second 300-yard game on September 28, 2025, setting career highs in yards (313) and completion percentage (76.9%) while throwing for two touchdowns in a 34-27 victory over Washington.

Penix was known for stretching the field in college. His style carried over to the NFL, as the rookie ranked fourth out of 46 passers with at least 100 attempts in yards per completion (12.7). Only Anthony Richardson (14.4), Lamar Jackson (13.2) and Brock Purdy (12.7) logged more than the Falcons' southpaw slinger.

If you get a text from Penix with the word "process" and the heart eyes emoji, it would be on brand. "We've got to fall in love with the process," he said as he entered 2025 as the young leader of the Falcons. "We've got to work and build up. … We've got the talent. We've got everything we need."

Every Falcon is pulling for Penix. That includes a former Falcon, Matt Ryan. "Had a good conversation with him about learning the second-year QB to be a pro each and every day," the second-year QB said going into 2025. "He definitely gave me some good things." Every pointer and bit of advice will no doubt be put to good use.

Many of Penix's college games impressed the Falcons. Right up there was the Sugar Bowl vs. Texas when he threw for 430 yards. "The pocket work, the way he got the ball out, his accuracy, his drive, his pace, his touch on all those throws," quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson said. "And he did it all by not taking any sacks."

Penix made his pro debut in Week 7 of 2024. Called on to finish off a tilt against Seattle, the rookie passer came off the bench and hit his only throw in limited action. On third down, he took a quick drop, turned and ripped a 14-yard completion to fellow first-year Casey Washington for a fresh set of downs.

Passes might as well be rushing plays with the way Penix hands the ball right to his target. Regardless of how far he slings the ball, it flies directly into his man's mitts with velocity and accuracy. Atlanta adored those aerial gives and selected the QB in the first round in 2024.

Penix completely changed his wardrobe after the Falcons drafted him in 2024. The eighth overall pick moved on from Washington's purple and gold kits. Switching them out for striking red and black jerseys, he looked like a million bucks in his new uniform.

Penix passed every passing test he faced in college. There's no reason to believe he won't do the same at the next level. The experienced signal-caller will hit the center of every target as he rises up the ranks from rookie reserve to weekly starter in Atlanta.

Penix entered the Falcons' matchup with the Broncos in Week 11 of 2024 and immediately got into a groove. The rookie showed poise as he fired a laser up the middle to Ray-Ray McCloud for a 20-yard gain on his first play from scrimmage, showing the same fire he displayed during his collegiate days.

It seems fitting that Penix got his first NFL completion against Seattle, the city where he excelled playing his collegiate ball with Washington. The 2023 Maxwell Award winner hit Casey Washington for a 14-yard game during the Falcons' matchup with the Seahawks in Week 7 of 2024.