The Atlanta Falcons are ready to take the next step after missing the postseason for the seventh straight year. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, stepped into the starting role at the end of last season and continues to show signs of growth as he develops into a top-tier talent.
While Penix only started three games, he showed enough potential to enter the 2025 season as a starter, and now one former NFL QB believes the former first-rounder will have a breakout campaign in his sophomore year.
Former NFL QB Predicts Michael Penix Jr. Will Have A Breakout Season in 2025
The Falcons were the laughingstock of the NFL following the 2024 Draft. After giving Kirk Cousins an egregious four-year deal worth $180 million as he was recovering from a torn Achilles, they then added Penix in the first round of the draft with the eighth overall pick.
For the first 14 games of the year, the Falcons chose to ride with the veteran Cousins as their starting quarterback. In that stretch, they went 7-7, with Cousins totaling just eight interceptions and zero touchdowns in the final four-week stretch, which eventually paved the way for Penix to take over.
Through the final three games of the year, the Washington product showed flashes of potential. Whether it was deep passes or consistently moving the chains, he was solid in all three games (one win), paving the way for optimism about his future.
That’s why former Heisman and ROTY winner Robert Griffin III believes Penix will have a breakout season in 2025.
“Michael Penix Jr. will be the breakout QB of the Year in the NFL this year,” Griffin announced in an X post.
Michael Penix Jr. will be the breakout QB of the Year in the NFL this year.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 16, 2025
The former Washington QB later explained his reasoning, listing that he wasn’t afraid of the NFL pass rush and had shown calm under pressure during his three starts last season.
“Michael Penix Jr. will show off his ELITE arm talent, downfield throwing ability, and anticipation this year,” Griffin added in a series of posts. “But his 3 starts last year showed he isn’t afraid of the NFL pass rush. Penix Jr. led the NFL with 17.3 yards/completion when under pressure.
Michael Penix Jr. was comfortable in the pocket, threw out breakers on time, and was able to work over the middle of the field
Penix Jr. also didn’t take a sack despite being pressured 14 times pic.twitter.com/sdPmB0sSJO
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) December 22, 2024
“Michael Penix Jr.’s 10.2 air yards per attempt when pressured, which is only behind Joe Burrow, showed he AIN’T NEVER SCARED to keep his eyes down field no matter the rush around him.
“That’s an important trait for any young QB to have in order to make their presence felt at the NFL level. That’s good news for Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Tyler Allgeier.”
Griffin even predicted that 2025 would be the Falcons’ most exciting season since 2016, when they reached the Super Bowl and QB Matt Ryan was named the NFL MVP. Asking Penix to bag the MVP trophy in his sophomore year is a tall task, but a Pro Bowl selection is likely if he delivers on what he showed in the final three games of 2024.