It is safe to say that the Atlanta Falcons’ gamble on Kirk Cousins is a failure. Even though the veteran quarterback is still with the Falcons, he’s likely to be moved this offseason. If not, he’ll be a backup for Michael Penix Jr., the young signal-caller that Atlanta has already seemingly committed to starting in 2025.
Penix has taken over the QB1 role down the stretch of his rookie season in 2024, but the 2025 campaign will be his first as a regular starter.
However, Penix clearly still has a lot to learn under center, not just about playing the position but being a leader as well.
During his first year in the NFL, the former Washington Huskies star had 775 passing yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions in five appearances, including three starts.
Atlanta Falcons’ Penix reached out to former franchise QB
Penix is aware of the big responsibility in his hands, and given his lack of experience as a QB1 in the pros, he thought to reach out to one of the best to ever do it.
Being QB1 comes with a different set of pressure points, both on and off the field. Penix said he recently spoke with former Falcons Pro Bowler Matt Ryan about those expectations.
“I spoke to Matt Ryan and had a good conversation with him (about) learning how to be a pro each and every day and how his process went,” Penix said. “I feel like he definitely gave me some good things. Obviously he knows this is my second year coming into it (and) this is my first year starting. He talked to me about his times during that time and how he got to where he ended up.”
Although Ryan never won a Super Bowl, he led the Falcons to the grandest stage of football in the 2016 NFL season. With his wealth of experience as a starting NFL QB for the Falcons, there must be a lot that Ryan was able to impart to Penix.
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