What do the Falcons do now? Let’s look at the Quarterback spot

Welp… the 2025 NFL regular season is officially over, and if you’re a football fan like me, you’re probably starting to feel that familiar sadness set in. The best sport in this country is going into its annual slumber — but if you’re a fan of a team that completely underwhelmed this season, you might actually be relieved that the nightmare is over.

Because let’s be honest: some of us deserve compensation for what we had to sit through. And if you’re a Falcons fan, you might want to reach out to the nearest ticket rep and ask what kind of emotional damages package they’re offering after this year.

I’ve got a lot of thoughts about this Falcons team — too many to keep bottled up — and it felt wrong to just scream them into the void of social media replies and mailbags that never really talk back. So here we are. And there’s no better place to start than the most criticized position on the field:

Quarterback. Specifically, Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons runs onto the field during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

If I had to give Penix a grade for this season, it would be a B. It feels a bit high — but here’s why.

Penix showed flashes that proved he can be a damn good quarterback in this league. He followed three solid games to close out the 2024 season with a strong performance against a divisional rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the season opener. In that matchup, Penix went 27-of-42 (64%), threw one touchdown, scrambled for another, and didn’t turn the ball over.

It felt like the moment Penix had arrived — like he was ready to let the league know this was his team.

Unfortunately, that didn’t last.

Week two featured pedestrian numbers. Week three was abysmal. To be fair, no one asked Penix to do much in week two against Minnesota, especially when you have the best player in football in Bijan Robinson. But in week three, the entire team laid an egg in an embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Penix bounced back in week four with a 313-yard performance, completing all but six of his passes. After the bye, he beat the Bills — and then lost four straight games, two of which featured shaky performances against the 49ers and Colts.

Throughout the season, we saw both sides of Penix. He made beautiful throws at every level of the field — deep shots, intermediate lasers, tight-window passes. And we also saw throws he’d like back, including the two interceptions against Carolina, a rough outing against Indianapolis in Germany, and the intentional grounding penalties that kept popping up like a bad habit.

Penix finished the season with 1,982 passing yards, a 60 percent completion rate, nine touchdown passes, 70 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and a QBR of 88.5. Those aren’t bad numbers — but they aren’t elite, either.

Now here’s the part where I do two things: I make excuses for him — and then I condemn him.

Let the fun begin.

First, the play calling. The offense looked nothing like what worked during the final stretch of 2024. Penix was rarely under center. He wasn’t consistently attacking the middle of the field. Play-action was scarce. I have no idea why Zac Robinson went away from what clearly suited his young quarterback. The offense was predictable early, and Penix paid the price.

Second, the lack of receiver help. Outside of Drake London, Penix had almost no one who consistently separated, stretched the field, or made difficult catches. That’s on Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot for failing to surround their first-year starter with legitimate weapons.

Third, the offensive line — specifically the right tackle spot. Watching Elijah Wilkinson struggle in pass protection became a weekly routine. It’s no coincidence that the hit from Tre’von Moehrig that ended Penix’s season came from that side.

Now for the condemnation.

Penix has to become more decisive. There were too many snaps where he had a workable pocket but held the ball too long, tried to fight off sacks, and turned avoidable plays into intentional grounding penalties. That has to change.

He also needs to use his legs again. When he scrambled for a first down late in the season, his burst was shocking — and encouraging. He still has that gear. Hopefully, coming back from ACL surgery, he becomes more willing to trust it.

I believe Penix can be the franchise quarterback in Atlanta. But he needs help.

The front office has to give him receivers who can separate. They have to solidify the right side of the offensive line. And he needs an offensive coordinator who can make the uncomfortable feel comfortable — and unlock his full potential.

I’ve been around the game as a player and an analyst. I’ve seen what great quarterbacks look like.

And I’m telling you: if the Falcons do this right, Michael Penix Jr. can become one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.