INDIANAPOLIS — I know what you're thinking: Tori, shouldn't this have been a headline in 2024? You know, when Michael Penix Jr. was actually participating in the combine?
Well, yes. And it probably was. But every single year I go to the NFL Scouting Combine with the same thought: "What are national media members saying about the Atlanta Falcons?"
I am so engrained in this team. I know it forwards, backwards, upside down. I live in the minutia of this organization daily. National media do not have that luxury. They have to be well-versed in all 32 teams and what moves they're making (or better yet, what moves they're not making). This provides them with a broader perspective, though, and sometimes a clearer read on teams. So, I am always curious as to know what catches their eyes about the Falcons.
And, well, at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, their talking points were pointedly about Michael Penix Jr.
Now don't get me wrong. There was a lot of Kirk-Cousins-centric conversations happening. Of course there were. But those were pretty black and white: "What are the Falcons going to do with Cousins? What does his future look like in Atlanta or otherwise?"
With Penix, though, there was more promise, hope, intrigue even, about what the Falcons have in him.
Head coach Raheem Morris said as much in his sit down with Will McFadden and me on Radio Row Tuesday. Morris discussed the improvements and growth he's seen in Penix since the Falcons selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He described "marveling" at some of Penix's throws in games as well as practices. What stood out to Morris most, though, was the conviction, poise and intelligence he saw from Penix in the huddle and during conversations with Atlanta coaches.
"And ultimately, let's be honest," Morris said, "that's creating a buzz for us, having that solid piece (at quarterback) ready to go."
The use of the "buzz" buzzword wasn't unfounded, either. Penix's name was top of mind for a lot of national media members when discussing the Falcons and what they could be in 2025.
"To me, more interesting to the Falcons' future is, 'What's next for Michael Penix?'" NFL Network's Cam Wolfe said. "... I remember covering that Week 18 game, and I know it was a loss (for the Falcons), but seeing Michael Penix elevate to a level that I don't think we even saw, the Falcons saw, using his legs and a certain ability that we hadn't seen in college. I think that poise is something to get excited about."
This elevation is something both Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot referred to in their interviews with AtlantaFalcons.com, too. With Morris saying a bit of Penix's ability surprised even him last year, while Fontenot echoed the sentiment.
"He's one of our more athletic players, period," Fontenot said. "... We all knew the arm talent and what he could do with that, but I would say the maturity is rare, the way he handles himself, the type of teammate he is. It's just rare with him."
And this idea of maturity is a thread others pulled on when discussing Penix.
"With quarterback evaluation, remember how everyone was like, 'He's so old?'" NBC Sports Nicole Auerbach said of Penix's pre-draft evaluations last offseason. "... But I hope — and it seems like — veteran college quarterbacks are now what you want (at the NFL level), because you are throwing them into the fire really soon. When you're using a pick that high on a quarterback, people are going to want to see him pretty soon, and there are certain guys that you just can't throw out there. They are just too raw, they are just not ready. But (Penix) was so experienced, had such a great command of Washington's offense, threw the most beautiful deep ball that I have seen in years. He has seen it all."
It's experience Penix drew upon when he became the Falcons' starting quarterback with three games remaining in the 2024 season. It's what allowed him to perform well in those three games, with hope for exponential growth the more reps he takes with his Falcons' playmakers. Interestingly enough, it's why he was the talk of the week on Radio Row whenever anyone brought up the Atlanta Falcons.
"I think the trajectory of the offense is undeniable," The Athletic's Robert Mays said in summary. "It's very easy to get excited about that. It's very easy to get excited about what Michael did last year — I mean, he can throw the heck out of the ball. So, you drop that element into that group of skill positions players, that offensive line, ... you have to feel good about that."
Note: You can catch all of these interviews in full on the Atlanta Falcons YouTube page.
