NFL Insiders Say Falcons Aren't 'Doing Enough' to Help Michael Penix Jr.

There is reportedly a belief within the NFL that the Atlanta Falcons are not putting second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in a position to succeed.

Per ESPN's Dan Graziano, some league sources told him they don't feel the Falcons are "doing enough to help" Penix amid a 1-3 start.

The sources offered some examples, such as play calls taking too long to reach Penix and his receivers dropping too many passes.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler followed up by noting that an NFL coaching source suggested to him that Penix isn't processing things quickly enough on the field, saying, "[Penix] can throw it, he just can't see it right now."

Selected eighth overall by the Falcons in the 2024 NFL draft out of Washington, Penix sat and learned behind veteran Kirk Cousins for most of his rookie season.

However, with the Falcons' playoff hopes hanging by a thread and Cousins struggling, they turned to Penix late last season.

Atlanta went only 1-2 in his three starts, but he showed plenty of promise, completing 58.1 percent of his passes for 775 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for one score.

That was enough to compel the Falcons to commit fully to Penix as their starter entering the 2025 campaign.

While the season is still young, Penix seems to have taken a step backward, completing 58.6 percent of his passing attempts for 605 yards, one touchdown and two picks to go along with one rushing touchdown.

The Falcons are coming off an embarrassing, 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, which saw Penix throw a pair of interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

▶️  Full Falcons-Panthers Recap

04:28

Despite having some supremely talented playmakers on offense, such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, and tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons are 31st in the NFL in scoring offense so far this season with 14.0 points per game.

The Falcons made some significant changes following the loss to Carolina, including firing wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard and making the decision to have offensive coordinator Zac Robinson move from the booth to the sidelines.

It remains to be seen if the changes will yield better results, but the schedule doesn't figure to do the Falcons any favors.

On Sunday, Atlanta will face a 2-1 Washington Commanders team that went all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season.

Then, the Falcons have a bye in Week 5 before having to contend with the undefeated Buffalo Bills in Week 6 and the undefeated San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

If the Falcons lose all three of those games, the season could get away from them quickly, and it is fair to wonder if head coach Raheem Morris would consider a pivot back to Cousins as the starting quarterback, even if only temporarily.