Falcons Excited About QB Michael Penix Jr.'s Recovery

New Falcons president Matt Ryan discusses the team's plan for developing the young quarterback.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 6:55pm

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The Atlanta Falcons are optimistic about the future of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was selected 8th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Penix has dealt with injuries in his first two seasons, but new Falcons president Matt Ryan expressed excitement about the team's plan to bring him along slowly in his recovery and develop him with the help of an experienced coaching staff.

Why it matters

The Falcons' success in the coming years will hinge on the development of Penix, who has shown promise but has been limited by injuries so far in his young career. The team's commitment to supporting Penix's recovery and surrounding him with a strong coaching staff signals their belief in his long-term potential.

The details

Penix, 23, has started just 12 games over his first two NFL seasons due to a combination of being behind veteran Kirk Cousins for much of 2024 and partially tearing his ACL in November of last season. Ryan said the team's top priority is getting Penix fully healthy, and he praised the work the young QB has been doing in the team's facility during his rehab. Ryan, a former Falcons quarterback himself, acknowledged the ups and downs that come with the recovery process, but expressed confidence that Penix is on the right track.

  • Penix was selected 8th overall by the Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • Penix partially tore his ACL in November of the 2025 season.

The players

Matt Ryan

The new president of football operations for the Atlanta Falcons, and a former star quarterback for the team.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' 2024 first-round draft pick, a young quarterback who has dealt with injuries in his first two NFL seasons.

Alex Van Pelt

The Falcons' new quarterbacks coach, who has extensive experience as an offensive coordinator and assistant in the NFL.

Kevin Stefanski

The new head coach of the Falcons, who previously served as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Tommy Rees

The Falcons' new offensive coordinator, who held the same role with the Cleveland Browns last season and has previous experience as an OC at Alabama and Notre Dame.

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What they’re saying

“I have had the opportunity to sit with Michael and, you know, No. 1, how do we bring him along? You get healthy first. The first thing you've got to do is get yourself in a place where we can practice and do that. So, job No. 1 for Michael is to keep doing exactly what he's doing. He's been in our building doing his rehab. He's in a good place right now.”

— Matt Ryan, Falcons President of Football

“To me, it always comes down to the fundamentals. Do we start with our feet? I know in that interview process, [quarterbacks coach] Alex [Van Pelt] is going to hammer the footwork and going to hammer getting the basics right. So, it starts with the basics. Michael does a great job. He can spin the football. We're excited about what he does, and we're excited about the staff we're putting around him.”

— Matt Ryan, Falcons President of Football

What’s next

The Falcons will continue to monitor Penix's recovery and work closely with him and the coaching staff to ensure he is fully healthy and prepared to take over as the team's starting quarterback.

The takeaway

The Falcons are taking a patient, deliberate approach to developing Michael Penix Jr., recognizing that his long-term potential is worth the investment of time and resources to get him fully healthy and fundamentally sound as a quarterback. This signals the team's commitment to building around Penix as their franchise QB of the future.