Michael Penix Jr. has a lot to prove with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025
However, a 50-person panel of general managers, executives, and coaches around the league believes that the rocket-armed lefty has a lot to prove. In a poll conducted by The Athletic, the panel ranked all 34 veteran quarterbacks who are expected to contribute to their teams in some capacity during the 2025 season, and placed Penix at No. 28.
Of the six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, Penix came in fifth behind Jayden Daniels (No. 6), Bo Nix (tied for No. 20), Drake Maye (No. 22), and Caleb Williams (No. 23). He was only ahead of Minnesota Vikings signal caller JJ McCarthy (No. 29) who missed all of his rookie season with a torn meniscus in his knee.
The ranking isn't surprising for Penix, who made just three starts during his rookie season. Although the Falcons went 1-2 in those games, the runner-up to Daniels for the 2023 Heisman Trophy proved that he offers immense upside to Atlanta's offense as he threw for 737 yards and 3 touchdowns and a rushing score as the Falcons scored 96 points over the final three weeks of the regular season.
Heading into the 2025 season, Penix is determined to lead Atlanta to one of the NFL's best passing offenses and bring the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
"We should be the best in the league," Penix told Falcons.com reporter Will McFadden in late July.
"With the guys we have around us, we've got a great offensive line as well. Those guys work extremely hard in the trenches with [offensive line coach Dwayne] Ledford out there leading those guys, doing a great job. With those guys, we should be unstoppable. That's our goal. We want to be No. 1 in all the categories on the offensive side of the ball."
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