Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. gets his first crack as an opening day starter in the NFL on September 7 when the Bucs come to town. The Tampa-area native also gets his first shot at Todd Bowles’ improved Bucs defense in a Week 1 home game.

The rookie’s small sample size in Atlanta showed big‑game temperament and vertical juice. Year 2 is about turning arm talent into weekly answers against opposing defenses – and most importantly, delivering more wins for an underachieving Falcons team that lost the NFC South lead late in the year and finished 8-9. A lot is riding on the left arm of Penix, who hails from Dade City, Fla.

Rookie Snapshot: 2024

Games/Starts: 5/3
Passing: 61-of-105 (58.1%), 775 yards, 7.4 YPA, 3 TD, 3 INT, 78.9 rating
Rushing: 7 carries, 11 yards, 1 TD
Team scoring in his Penix’s starts: 96 total points (34, 24, 38)

Michael Penix Jr. Emerged As Falcons’ Starter Late In His Rookie Year

Michael Penix Jr.’s rookie year wasn’t supposed to happen this fast. But after Atlanta benched high-priced starter Kirk Cousins in December, the No. 8 overall pick took the keys to the offense and never flinched. The box score is modest. The tape is impressive. With a quick trigger and the confidence to attack the middle of the field, Penix looked like a quarterback who already speaks the pro language.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

His debut came in Week 16 against the Giants, a 34-7 walkover that featured two defensive pick‑sixes and a calm, on‑schedule Penix, who completed 18‑of‑27 passes for 202 yards and one interception. One week later in Washington, he took lumps and threw punches, completing 19‑of‑35 passes for 223 yards with a TD and a pick in a 30–24 overtime loss.

The finale against Carolina was the clincher: 21‑of‑38 for 312 and two touchdowns to Drake London, plus a rushing score and an interception in a 44–38 overtime shootout. The Falcons didn’t reach the postseason, but they did find a quarterback with a short memory and the ability to throw the long ball.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris set the tone the morning after Atlanta’s overtime collapse at home against Carolina: “2025 starts today.”

And that means the Falcons will roll with Penix under center.

In December after Penix’s debut, Morris added, “He went out and played almost flawless football. … He kept the game really clean.”

That’s coach-speak for trust, which is the most valuable attribute for a young QB. And Morris showed a great deal of trust in a young QB with just career starts by holding him out of any preseason action, which was a curious move.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. and HC Raheem Morris – Photo by: USA Today

Atlanta’s offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has been even more direct about Penix’s traits.

“It’s a trait that, really, you look at the best QBs around the league, they all have different angles,” Robinson said. “They can drop it down. If you need to go up and over the top of the defender, got to be able to do that. Mike has as quick a release as I’ve ever been around in terms of how quickly the ball comes out of his hand.”

Penix’s strengths translate to the pro game. His intermediate dig and deep shots come out with RPMs, which affects coverage rules and opens space for Bijan Robinson underneath. The growth area is accuracy under duress and sustaining rhythm throughout a drive.

The 58.1% completion rate and three interceptions suggest there were scattershot stretches and a couple of rookie “don’t try that again” throws. Penix completed 65% of his passes in his last two seasons at Washington. Clean up the footwork on long‑developing concepts, steal some cheap first‑down completions with quick slants and outs, and the explosives should show up more often if Atlanta can run the ball, which seems like a given with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

It’s The Michael Penix Jr.’s Show Now

This is Michael Penix Jr.’s offense now in Atlanta. He’s QB1 going into Week 1 against Tampa Bay with Kirk Cousins, who beat the Bucs twice last year with a combined eight touchdowns, serving as the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL.

The Falcons’ hopes are high with Penix having a younger, livelier arm than the 37-year old Cousins, whose age and declining skills definitely showed last year.

When asked how good the Falcons offense can be in 2025, Penix said: “We should be the best in the league.”

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. and WR Drake London – Photo by: USA Today

A lofty goal? Sure, but there’s a path to Atlanta having an upper echelon unit if three boxes get checked.

First, if red‑zone sequencing favors Penix’s quick‑trigger slants and Drake London/Kyle Pitts high‑point options in the end zone. Second, his early‑down efficiency elevates via RPOs and screens to keep Penix and the Falcons offense on schedule. And finally, Penix’s turnovers stay neutral while his number of explosive plays increase.

For the Bucs and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles, the scouting report is straightforward. Stop the slants and deep shots to London with tight man coverage from Zyon McCollum and occasional double coverage in zone with a safety over the top.

Pitts has been a disappointment as a former first-round pick, but he’s hurt Tampa Bay in multiple games over his career. He had 11 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown combined in both wins last year. The Bucs need to make Pitts look more like Clark Kent than Superman in Week 1.

Bowles will blitz Penix, especially on early downs, but the real key is disguising those pressures late and forcing the young quarterback into second‑reaction throws outside the numbers where the accuracy has been streaky.

And perhaps more importantly, Bowles’ defense needs to hit and sack Penix, and force him into some interceptions in the hopes of rattling him in his fourth NFL start.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. – Photo by: USA Today

The small sample size from Penix’s rookie season was a teaser trailer with a few rough cuts. The sequel in Atlanta can be the season-long blockbuster feature if Penix trades in efficient play for big plays and keeps the interceptions to a minimum.

With Raheem Morris’ directive and Zac Robinson’s editing – and with London, Pitts and Bijan Robinson featured co-stars – Atlanta’s offense could rise to the next level if Penix can star as the quarterback who fits the script as a former first-rounder.