The Atlanta Falcons made waves in the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall choice. This decision came shortly after the Falcons signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract during free agency.
Despite great hopes, Penix Jr. had limited play during the preseason. In his sole game, he played just over a quarter and completed 9-of-16 throws for 104 yards against the Miami Dolphins. He did not throw a touchdown pass or an interception, but he played well.
Penix Jr. did not play in the following two preseason games, while QBs Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock competed for the third-string slot.
After the Falcons’ second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Raheem Morris addressed Penix Jr.’s limited playing time.
Morris expounded on Penix Jr.’s condition via the Associated Press.
“We saw enough of Michael Penix in the live stuff last week,” Morris told reporters, according to Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick. “And now we had the chance to mitigate him in practice and we give him a bunch of live stuff out there in practice that you do everything you would do in a game, other than get hit.”
The coach also elaborated on the team’s approach with Penix Jr. and Kay Adams.
“You’ve seen how many reps Michael has gotten without taking away from our starter. He’s had a lot of reps against our starting defence. And I am quite optimistic about where he is heading and how he will develop.”
Penix Jr.’s absence from the Falcons’ preseason games raises concerns about their intentions. There are two possible explanations for this technique. The initial goal could be to avoid injury. Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a first-round choice, suffered a ruptured meniscus in the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders and required season-ending surgery.
Another theory is that the Falcons are “hiding” Penix Jr. from the rest of the NFL, similar to way the Kansas City Chiefs handled Patrick Mahomes during his first season behind Alex Smith.
Morris most likely avoids a quarterback controversy by limiting Penix Jr.’s exposure. If Penix Jr. had performed well in the preseason and Cousins, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles while learning to a new team, struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ powerful defence in the opener on September 8, the pressure on Morris may increase.
As the regular season approaches, the Falcons’ plan for Penix Jr. will be widely scrutinized. Whether the team is saving him for future success, carefully controlling his growth, or attempting to avoid a QB controversy, the rookie quarterback’s role in Atlanta’s future will be a source of speculation.
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