The Atlanta Falcons have their eyes set on an NFC South title in 2025, something they’ve not managed since 2016. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is now the team’s starter, while Kirk Cousins remains on the team, something that seemed almost impossible just months ago.
The Falcons begin their 2025 preseason at home to the Detroit Lions, one of the very best teams in their conference. Speaking to the media, head coach Raheem Morris revealed how much gametime his starters would see against the defending NFC North champions.
Will Michael Penix Jr., Drake London, and Other Stars Play For the Falcons in Preseason Week 1?
The preseason schedule offers fans a glimpse of their team’s stars after a painfully long offseason, but it’s often a time for the backups and depth players to show what they can do. The Falcons have several stars who are cemented starters at their position, while Morris claimed several spots on the team remain up for grabs.
“You’ve got some young guys out there that’s gotta go out there and show some competitive things. You’ve got some positions that are up for battles. We want to see some of those things happen,” he said.
One position that is decided, though, is quarterback. Cousins lost his starting job last year due to poor form after a Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Penix took over, winning one of his three starts, and will lead the team into the 2025 season.
Morris ruled both quarterbacks out of the game against Detroit, so Easton Stick and Emory Jones will share snaps instead.
“Penix won’t get out there, and Kirk won’t get out there,” Morris said at his press conference Monday morning. “We’ll see (Easton) Stick; we’ll see Emory (Jones). That’s probably the most definitive thing that I can tell you right now.”
However, Morris did suggest that there will be plenty of starters on show, noting the young age of his roster as a factor in his preseason team selection.
“There’ll be a lot of guys playing and a couple that won’t,” he said. “Obviously, we’ve got a young football team, so there will be a lot more people playing than we had last year.”
The Falcons selected two edge rushers in the first round of April’s draft, after trading back into the first round to select Tennessee standout James Pearce Jr. The team had already taken Jalon Walker 15th overall, and both players will be looking to start in Year 1.
Walker has missed time in practice, as has third-round rookie safety Xavier Watts, but both should suit up on Friday. One player to keep an eye on will be wide receiver Nick Nash, a 2024 Biletnikoff finalist in his first full year as a receiver at San José State, having previously played quarterback.
