Michael Penix Jr. named Falcons' starting QB for Week 3 matchup
The Atlanta Falcons have announced that Michael Penix Jr. will be the team's starting quarterback for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This decision comes as Penix returns to action after a lengthy recovery from a torn ACL, which sidelined him for nearly ten months. The 2024 first-round pick had not played since suffering the injury during a loss to the Panthers in Week 11 of the 2025 season. Following surgery last November, Penix has gradually worked his way back, participating in limited practices during the spring and most of training camp. He was finally cleared for full participation in 11-on-11 drills during the final week of the preseason.
Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees expressed confidence in Penix's readiness, stating, "I think Mike's looked good. He's been really going here for a few weeks now. I didn't know Mike pre-injury very well, except from afar. But he looks sharp, moving well. I think he has confidence in it. Obviously, his arm talent is easily seen. But in terms of the lower-body movement and his ability to play quick and do those things, I think Mike's progressed really nicely."
Penix had initially hoped to return for the season opener but opted to wait until he felt fully prepared. He communicated to head coach Kevin Stefanski that he did not want to rush back into action, recalling past experiences where he returned too soon from knee injuries. "I want to be stronger," Penix stated. "I want to be able to be out there and give the team 100%. And if I don't feel like I can do that, that's not fair for this team. That's not fair for this organization. I want to make sure whenever I am out there, I'm 100%, and there's no doubt in my mind that I trust my knee and that I trust being able to go out there and help this team win football games."
At 26 years old, Penix has had a mixed start to his NFL career, making 12 starts in his first two seasons with the Falcons. He recorded a 1-2 record as a rookie and a 3-6 record last season before his injury. However, his performance showed promise, with a notable improvement in his touchdown-to-interception ratio. Last season, he threw nine touchdowns against just three interceptions, leading the league with a low interception rate of 1.1%.
What the Scoreboard Won't Tell You
In the absence of Penix, Cooper Rush filled in as the starting quarterback for the Falcons during the first two games of the season. Unfortunately, the team struggled, losing both games and failing to enter the red zone, making them the only offense in the NFL yet to achieve this feat.
As Penix prepares to take the field against the Packers, he faces a defense that has shown vulnerability, allowing 39 points in a loss to the Vikings in Week 1 and 17 points in a narrow victory over the Jets. Green Bay currently ranks eighth in the NFL for passing yards allowed and ninth for rushing yards allowed, presenting an opportunity for Penix to make a significant impact in his return to the game.
