ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. was ready for the moment, and the Falcons can breathe a sigh of relief for at least another week because he was.
In Penix’s first professional start after the Falcons drafted him No. 8 overall back in April, he was everything he was advertised to be at that time. His passes had a noticeable zip to them. His decision-making was crisp. He ran a clean operation considering he only had two true practices as the Falcons’ starting quarterback after Atlanta decided Tuesday night that he would replace Kirk Cousins as the starter.
In the Falcons’ decisive 34-7 win against the New York Giants Sunday afternoon, Penix was 18-of-27 through the air for 202 passing yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but he came close on a few occasions, with Bijan Robinson and Drake London both apologizing to the rookie quarterback for not bringing a Penix pass into the end zone on back-to-back plays. He threw one interception, but it’s not one many credit to Penix, considering Kyle Pitts bobbled the ball and tipped it into the arms of a waiting defender.
By all accounts, Penix operated the Falcons’ offense with poise and skill. Boding well for what his future in the league could look like, but also validating (for the time being) the Falcons’ decision to draft him in the first place.
Head coach Raheem Morris said the rookie quarterback’s performance Sunday was one that he would describe as being “gratifying” to the organization.
“The plan came a little bit sooner,” Morris said in reference to the fact he and general manager Terry Fontenot expected Cousins to be the Falcons’ starter for at least a couple years before Penix would take the reins. “But the kid was ready and we had a lot of time to develop him. The kid did a great job himself developing himself, to get ready for that moment where it wasn’t too big. I was really proud and pleased with the effort.”
The Falcons’ win was a step towards what the front office and coaching staff hope is the lasting stability they crave at the quarterback position. Since Fontenot took over as general manager in 2021, the Falcons have started six different quarterbacks in four seasons. It’s paramount that Penix — as starting quarterback No. 6 — not only pans out, but becomes a fixture of the offense.
The Falcons have said since the moment they drafted Penix that they have confidence in him and the future he could have in this league. That confidence came to fruition Sunday. And even if Morris wouldn’t use the word “relief” to describe the feeling of the moment, I can and will.
“I don’t know if its a sense of relief but being able to go watch him execute during the game, I knew we created the situations in practice to make it tough on him,” Morris said. “… But just to watch him go do it, it was more fun to watch than actual relief. It wasn’t relief. For me, it was a sense of pride.”
Pride in — the Falcons hope — making the right decision at one of the most crucial positions in all of sports.
Because timing is everything, right? At least it is for the Falcons in 2024.
If you were going to give Penix the reins of the offense during a playoff push, doing so against a struggling Giants team is a time to do it. If you were going to try to set Penix up for success, doing so when the defensive play of the Falcons is heating up helps. If you were going to have Penix control the offensive plan, doing so when Robinson is tearing up defenses one juke at a time is only a plus. The timing for the Falcons, and for Penix, was right, especially when you have your most important game to date coming up against the Washington Commanders on the road next week.
But for right now, the Falcons can sit in the ease of their decision to go with Penix.
First appeared on www.atlantafalcons.com