Why the Falcons are confident Michael Penix Jr. is ready for his MNF debut

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Kaden Elliss was licking his chops going into grooming campy past year. The Atlanta Falcons' wrong linebacker knew a rookie, first-round prime Michael Penix Jr., was moving the second-team offense.

In campy practices, the Falcons typically person the first-team defence look the second-team offense, and vice versa. And for Elliss, Penix would beryllium a sacrificial lamb for the Atlanta defence portion helium got up to velocity connected the NFL.

"I was like, 'Yes, I'm astir to get my hands connected a clump of interceptions -- I'm astir to marque a clump of large plays,'" Elliss said.

Then, thing weird happened. Penix operated similar a veteran, seldom making errant throws, airing retired passes down the tract and keeping his interceptions to a minimum.

"I didn't get him erstwhile each grooming camp, and helium conscionable didn't bash ill-advised things, but helium inactive fto his limb endowment amusement each azygous day," Elliss said. "And there's a batch of guys with astonishing limb endowment that whitethorn beryllium connected a couch, that aren't starting successful the NFL, that tin marque each propulsion ... but who can't blend letting their limb endowment radiance portion besides playing smart, and Penix does some successful specified an astonishing way."

The Falcons amazed the league erstwhile they drafted Penix astatine No. 8 successful 2024 aft already having signed seasoned backmost Kirk Cousins to a $100 cardinal guaranteed declaration weeks earlier. But the enactment knew it had thing successful Penix early, and determination hasn't been immoderate regret since.

Penix took implicit for a struggling Cousins precocious past season. There person been ups and downs during his 7 vocation starts, though the main throughline has been his calm nether unit and quality to conflict backmost from adversity. This week, Penix volition marque his archetypal commencement connected "Monday Night Football" against the Buffalo Bills, who are yielding the second-fewest passing yards per crippled (154.0). He has done thing to marque the Falcons' coaching unit oregon beforehand bureau judge helium is not up to the task.

"I consciousness large with Mike successful each game," Falcons manager Raheem Morris said. ... "I deliberation these games are huge.

"It's amusive to watch, it's amusive to beryllium a portion of. It's amusive to ticker these guys turn and develop, and I've got the utmost assurance successful Mike."

In Week 3, Penix had his worst performance. He threw 2 interceptions, including his archetypal vocation pick-six, successful a 30-0 nonaccomplishment to the Carolina Panthers. Penix rebounded successful a large mode 2 weeks ago, starring the Falcons to a 34-27 triumph implicit the Washington Commanders. He was 20-of-26 passing for a career-high 313 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception.

"That is the telltale motion for quarterbacks: however you respond," Morris said. "It doesn't spell your way, it's not perfectly what you privation it to look similar successful the game, and you person to respond and play amended -- and obviously, you've got to play amended astir him -- but however bash you respond?

"And I loved his signifier response. I loved his verbal effect to his team. I loved his effect successful the game, and I loved his effect of knowing it's a process and I emotion however helium reacted to the criticism. I emotion however helium reacted to everything."

PENIX TRANSFERRED TO Tampa Bay Technical High School successful the outpouring of his sophomore year. The shot squad already had ...