Latest news with #MichaelPenixJr.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst lays out worst-case scenario for Falcons in 2025
Pro Football Sports Network broke down the worst-cast scenario for each team in 2025 The Atlanta Falcons ended the 2024 season on a bittersweet note. While it was encouraging to see Michael Penix Jr. play well in his first few starts, it felt like the team missed a chance to finally get back into the playoffs. After a painfully long offseason, the Falcons are close to taking the field for their second official training camp of the Raheem Morris era. With 10 of 11 offensive starters set to return, the team should rely heavily on its offense in 2025. The Falcons defense has a lot to prove, though. Fans are rightfully excited about first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., but there should be an adjustment period with so many new faces and Jeff Ulbrich taking over as defensive coordinator. Obviously, Atlanta wants to return to the postseason, but what is the team's worst-case scenario in 2025? PFSN Analyst Jacob Infante looked attempted to project the floor of each NFL team. The Falcons' worst-case scenario record for the 2025 season was 6-11: Michael Penix Jr. takes the reins as quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons after Kirk Cousins followed up a 6-3 start by going 1-4 in the final five games before he got benched. That collapse can be attributed to poor quarterback play, but it's also a team game at the end of the day. -- Jacob Infante, PFSN While a six-win season would certainly be a disappointment, Atlanta's projected floor is higher than two of three NFC South rivals. The Carolina Panthers' worst-case scenario was 4-13, while the New Orleans Saints had the lowest projected floor at 2-15. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the top-ranked team in the division with a worst-case projection of 7-10. The Falcons clearly have more question marks than the Buccaneers, but they seem to be miles ahead of the Saints. Even in tightly contested division like the NFC South, the Falcons are facing a decent amount of pressure to finally take that next step in 2025. Players officially report for training camp on July 23, with the team's first practice coming on July 24. Check out our Falcons training camp preview and latest 53-man roster projection for the 2025 season.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bijan Robinson, Michael Penix Jr. among Falcons' highest-graded players
Chris Lindstrom, Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr. were Atlanta's highest-graded players in 2024, per PFF The Atlanta Falcons are less than two weeks away from kicking off their second training camp under head coach Raheem Morris. Despite recording their highest win total since 2017, the Falcons' 8-9 record wasn't enough to snap their seven-year postseason drought. As the team prepares for the 2025 season, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is set to lead what should be an explosive offense. Penix appeared in five games (three starts) last season, finishing with Atlanta's third-highest Pro Football Focus grade (87.9). Veteran safety Jessie Bates III will look to guide a revamped defense featuring multiple rookie starters. Bates is Atlanta's top-rated returning defensive starter, while Chris Lindstrom is the team's highest-graded player overall (93.5). Check out the Falcons' 10 highest-graded players (based on 2024 overall season grade) below. Falcons PFF grades: 10 highest-graded players - READ: Falcons 53-man roster projection: Pre-training camp edition
NBC Sports
08-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Kirk Cousins felt 'a little bit misled' when Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.
After the Falcons shocked the football-following world by making quarterback Michael Penix Jr. the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Cousins was asked by reporters whether he might have made a different decision in free agency if he'd known about the plan to take a quarterback. ' I don't really deal in hypotheticals,' Cousins said at the time. In the first episode of his second turn on the Quarterback series, he did. After explaining that he picked Atlanta over Minnesota in free agency because the Vikings wanted to go 'year-to-year' and the Falcons made a longer commitment, Cousins said he was 'pretty surprised' by the news that Penix had been drafted in the top 10. 'I wasn't expecting us to take a quarterback,' Cousins said. 'At the time, it felt like I'd been a little bit misled — or certainly if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would have affected my decision. I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there, if both teams are gonna be drafting a quarterback high.' Beyond loving Minnesota, Cousins was comfortable in Kevin O'Connell's offense. It became clear during the first episode of Quarterback that Cousins felt a little overwhelmed by the offense in Atlanta. 'It's different enough to feel like I'm starting over,' Cousins said regarding the Falcons offense. One challenge came from the pre-snap motions and shifts, similar to what the Dolphins had been doing. 'That was a lot to learn,' Cousins said. It came to a head in Week 1, when a game-deciding fumble happened because of a miscommunication that resulted in a shotgun snap striking tight end Ross Dwelley, while he was going in motion past the center. 'I knew that was gonna happen,' Cousins said as he came off the field. 'I have to give the foot, then send you,' Cousins told Dwelley on the sideline. 'I sent you and then gave the foot. And if I do that, we have no room for error. It's a fumble every time. It was just — all week long, I was paranoid. I'm gonna do it one time and screw it up. And it did.' It's a tangible, and valuable, example for quarterbacks who are thinking about changing teams in the future. You never know what that team is going to do with its first-round pick. You never know how different the offense is going to be until you're in it. And you never know how it's going to feel to line up 'with a new team with a new system in a new home stadium' until it's time to do it.
NBC Sports
08-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Kirk Cousins felt "a little bit misled" when Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.
After the Falcons shocked the football-following world by making quarterback Michael Penix Jr. the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Cousins was asked by reporters whether he might have made a different decision in free agency if he'd known about the plan to take a quarterback. 'I don't really deal in hypotheticals,' Cousins said at the time. In the first episode of his second turn on the Quarterback series, he did. After explaining that he picked Atlanta over Minnesota in free agency because the Vikings wanted to go 'year-to-year' and the Falcons made a longer commitment, Cousins said he was 'pretty surprised' by the news that Penix had been drafted in the top 10. 'I wasn't expecting us to take a quarterback,' Cousins said. 'At the time, it felt like I'd been a little bit misled — or certainly if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would have affected my decision. I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there, if both teams are gonna be drafting a quarterback high.' Beyond loving Minnesota, Cousins was comfortable in Kevin O'Connell's offense. It became clear during the first episode of Quarterback that Cousins felt a little overwhelmed by the offense in Atlanta. 'It's different enough to feel like I'm starting over,' Cousins said regarding the Falcons offense. One challenge came from the pre-snap motions and shifts, similar to what the Dolphins had been doing. 'That was a lot to learn,' Cousins said. It came to a head in Week 1, when a game-deciding fumble happened because of a miscommunication that resulted in a shotgun snap striking tight end Ross Dwelley, while he was going in motion past the center. 'I knew that was gonna happen,' Cousins said as he came off the field. 'I have to give the foot, then send you,' Cousins told Dwelley on the sideline. 'I sent you and then gave the foot. And if I do that, we have no room for error. It's a fumble every time. It was just — all week long, I was paranoid. I'm gonna do it one time and screw it up. And it did.' It's a tangible, and valuable, example for quarterbacks who are thinking about changing teams in the future. You never know what that team is going to do with its first-round pick. You never know how different the offense is going to be until you're in it. And you never know how it's going to feel to line up 'with a new team with a new system in a new home stadium' until it's time to do it.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Michael Penix Jr. takes over as Falcons' starting QB; $27.5M Kirk Cousins moved to backup role
Michael Penix Jr. era begins in Atlanta (Image via: Getty Images) The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season, moving veteran Kirk Cousins to a backup role. Cousins, who is set to earn $27.5 million, now faces trade speculation. With Penix taking over, the Falcons are entering a new era and one of the NFL's biggest storylines is unfolding in Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr. era begins in Atlanta as Kirk Cousins takes a backseat The Atlanta Falcons are making headlines after officially naming Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season. In a surprising move, veteran Kirk Cousins, who signed a $180 million deal just last year, has been moved to a backup role. Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, showed flashes of potential in three starts last season. Despite a 1-2 record, his big-play ability and aggressive downfield throws gave Atlanta fans a glimpse of what the future might hold. Now, that future is here. Atlanta Falcons 2025 Schedule Prediction | How will Michael Penix Jr. look as starting QB? The decision signals a major shift for the franchise. Cousins was brought in to stabilize the offense and help the Falcons return to playoff relevance. But after an underwhelming season and mounting pressure from fans and media alike, the coaching staff is going all-in on youth and upside. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¿Cuánto cuesta un audífono en Junio de 2025? Comparador Audífonos Más información Undo Falcons emerge as must-watch team in 2025 amid bold QB decision and trade rumors Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon ranked the Falcons among the top teams to watch in 2025, pointing to their high-risk quarterback change as a key storyline. 'The Falcons are gambling that sophomore first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. can do more with a stacked group of offensive weapons than Kirk Cousins could in 2024.' With the NFC South wide open, the timing couldn't be more crucial. Atlanta has also upgraded its defense by drafting top prospects Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., adding fuel to a playoff push. Penix brings potential, but questions remain about his consistency, accuracy, and ability to handle pressure. Meanwhile, Cousins' future is uncertain, with trade rumors already circulating. Also Read: NFL Trade Rumors: Steelers eye $275M QB Trevor Lawrence as Aaron Rodgers' successor ahead of 2026 offseason NFL insider Brent Sobleski even suggested that a potential deal involving Cousins and the New Orleans Saints could still happen especially with Penix now firmly in control. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
