Michael Penix Jr. Has 'Slowest Delivery I've Seen,' Says NFL Exec Talking QB's Future

One NFL team executive seemed to question quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s viability as the long-term solution for the Atlanta Falcons following the partial tear of his ACL.

The Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick as part of the deal to move up and get edge-rusher James Pearce Jr. this past spring. That pick might be pretty valuable with Atlanta sitting third in the NFC South at 4-7, and the exec is pessimistic about the franchise's general outlook.

"They thought they were getting the last piece of the puzzle," the official told Mike Sando of The Athletic in reference to the draft-day swap for Pearce. "Now, your quarterback is having his third ACL surgery. He lumbers already, and he's going to have to be a pocket passer and he's got the slowest delivery I've seen."

Penix had a prolific two-year run at Washington. He threw for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns in 28 games with the Huskies.

Michael Penix Jr Highlights

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However, the concerns expressed by the NFL executive were there when the southpaw was entering the league.

"Penix is not a nimble, thoughtful mover in the pocket, and his low, clunky release makes it difficult to find unique throwing angles," Bleacher Report NFL scout Derrik Klassen wrote in his pre-draft assessment. "Penix is not an impressive creator outside the pocket at this stage, either."

Penix could be a sitting duck in the pocket if he has even less mobility as a result of his newest knee injury.

Speeding up the 25-year-old's throwing process will be easier said than done as well. Changing a quarterback's mechanics is a difficult process and one that doesn't often succeed.

The Falcons raised a lot of eyebrows when they used the No. 8 overall pick on Penix in 2024 as they had just signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 contract weeks earlier. The decision might be an even bigger whiff after Atlanta doubled down in its belief he could lead a winning team in 2025.