As NFL teams play their rookies early in preseason action, the Atlanta Falcons opted to limit their top overall 2024 selection, Michael Penix Jr.
The first-year quarterback and eighth overall pick wasn’t behind center leading the NFC South franchise against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. But with one more game ahead of the regular season, will Atlanta roll with Penix Jr. against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday?
Details Emerge on Michael Penix Jr.’s Status Against Jaguars
Atlanta did more than rest their likely QB1 Kirk Cousins against Baltimore — they chose to sit Penix as well. By doing so, the Falcons turned to veteran Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock at quarterback.
With one more August game to go, the upcoming contest with the Jags can serve as one more opportunity to see Penix handle the rigors of the NFL in live action. But head coach Raheem Morris told reporters he’s seen enough out of his rookie — choosing to once again sit him out.
Morris, who enters his second coaching stint with the Falcons after serving as interim head coach in 2020, explained the reason to put Penix on ice one more time on Monday.
“You’ve seen the amount of reps that Michael’s been able to get without really taking away from our starter,” Morris said Monday with the media. “He’s got a huge amount of reps versus our starting defense. And I feel really good about where he’s going and what he’s going to develop.”
Was there any thought from Morris in throwing Penix back onto the field one more time?
“I could play him a little bit more if I needed something else,” Morris said. “But I don’t feel that way. And I don’t think any of the people that I would talk to in that circle of trust would feel that way, or we’d be playing him a little bit more.”
Looking Back at the Draft Night Stunner, Plus Penix in Preseason
Tracing back first to the first round of April’s draft, the Falcons pulled the stunner of the night by taking the Heisman Trophy runner-up out of Washington as their top pick.
Atlanta made the decision after signing Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowl QB, to a $180 million deal just a month prior.
Many believed that a QB controversy was set to launch in Atlanta. However, the Falcons made it clear to Cousins that he is the team’s true starter for Week 1.
This still cleared room for Atlanta to play Penix in the preseason, an effort to allow him to get a feel for the offense and the league. The Falcons started their August slate by allowing Penix to start in the first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
One reason Penix was praised ahead of the draft was his arm strength. That trait immediately grabbed the attention of the social media universe on this deep connection.
Penix makes the connection downfield!
📱: Stream #ATLvsMIA on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/fJcfCmUO2x
— NFL (@NFL)
Penix went on to finish the night with 9-of-16 passing for 104 yards in the 20-13 loss to the Dolphins. But he was flawless on second downs — completing all eight of his attempts during that down sequence. And, according to TruMedia, the southpaw passer was 100% accurate on his short throws to his left.
Still, Morris’ decision to rest Penix with one last preseason game to go will certainly raise eyebrows among fans. The former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams, though, says Penix has shown enough to earn the rest.
“Michael’s role is really clear on what we want to see,” he said. “He’s done a great job of getting better throughout this process.”
With Cousins also not expected to play on Friday, Atlanta fans will likely see Heinicke and Paddock, an undrafted 2024 rookie, on the field.
