The Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, is excited to see what second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. can do with a full offseason.
Falcons Excited For Year Two Penix
After signing Kirk Cousins to a free agent deal that guaranteed him over $100 million, the Falcons pulled the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft by using a top-ten pick on Penix Jr. The pick sent shock waves around the NFL, and while the decision was heavily criticized, the Falcons stood strong on their conviction about Penix and why they took him with the eighth overall selection.
Cousins was coming off a torn Achilles from the previous season. Though Cousins had strong stretches of play for Atlanta last season, turnovers and inconsistencies during a push to make the playoffs led the head coach Raheem Morris and the Falcons brass to turn to the rookie Penix to take over the starting job. Penix finished the season starting the last three games of the season and passed for 775 yards, throwing four touchdowns and three interceptions. However, Robinson is excited about what is in store for year two of Penix.
“We are definitely excited to see Mike in a full year with the season and getting more reps with the skill guys,” Robinson said in an interview on the Check the Mic show with Steve & Sam. “Last year, he went and played and might have thrown one or two of these routes to Darnell Money, and it’s like, okay, go out there in a game and rep this live, and to his credit and the guy’s credit around him, they did a good job executing those last couple of games.”
Penix, the lefty out of the University of Washington, was known for his arm strength and his ability to make the ball wiz through multiple levels of defenses. His hands measured the biggest of any quarterback in his draft class, and the Falcons believe there isn’t a throw Penix can’t make.
“There isn’t a throw that he can’t have on the field,” Robison said. “He can touch every part of the field with touch pass and accuracy. He has everything you’re looking for from a vision standpoint and instinct standpoint.”
The 2024 draft quarterback class is loaded with guys such as Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Drake Maye. Penix will have his chance to make his case for him being one of the best quarterbacks from his class after being the fourth one taken out of six taken in the first round.
Falcons Have Big Expectations for 2025
The Falcons will be one of the teams with the most pressure on them in 2025. They narrowly missed out on the playoffs in 2024 despite being the preseason division favorite, and will be expected to make it this season. Atlanta has not had a playoff appearance since the 2017 season, and Morris, along with Robison and Penix, will be the three key components to make sure the Falcons clinch the playoffs.
There is no doubt that there is plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. If Penix can live up to his draft slot as a top-ten pick, that will likely equal a successful season for Atlanta.
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