Sportsnaut
The Atlanta Falcons shocked the world when they made Michael Penix Jr. the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The decision came just a month after the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Now, just two years later, the Falcons have released Cousins, seemingly clearing the path for Penix to be the team’s franchise QB, right? Wrong. After Penix tore his ACL back in November, the Falcons knew they might not have a quarterback to begin the year, so they signed former Pro Bowler Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to start. So where does that leave Penix?
Penix has started just 12 NFL games. That’s only two more than J.J. McCarthy, who was selected two spots after Penix, and actually has a better win-loss record at 6-4 compared to Penix at 4-8.
Now headed into the third season of a four-year rookie deal, some, like The Athletic’s Josh Kendall, believe Penix’s future in Atlanta is already numbered.
Already 26 years old, Penix will have to work really hard, not just to fend off Tagovailoa for the starting job, but to earn a second contract in Atlanta. Yet, by the Falcons giving Tagovailoa a shot at becoming their franchise QB, the writing is already on the wall for Penix.
Related: NFL Coordinator: Atlanta Falcons’ 24-Year-Old Defender Can Be One of the Best
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