Michael Penix Jr. just got the green light for full practice on Monday, and suddenly, the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition is hotter than a July sidewalk. This isn’t just a scrimmage anymore; with Penix fully cleared after his November ACL injury, the real battle for the starting job against Tua Tagovailoa has officially kicked off.
That ‘Live Arm’ Is NO Joke
Penix, the 2024 top-10 draft pick, has been absolutely turning heads with the new Atlanta Falcons staff. Even with that November ACL injury limiting him to just 7-on-7 and individual drills, we’re talking about a left arm that fires throws very few other NFL quarterbacks, and yes, that includes the guys already in Atlanta, can even dream of making. One source didn’t mince words, saying, “Some of the balls that jump out of his hand, and that kind of live arm, it’s impressive to see.” That kind of juice is exactly why the next three weeks in Atlanta are going to be must-watch leading up to the September 13th opener against the Steelers. But let’s not forget the past nine starts Penix made before that ACL injury last season. The good: A respectable 9 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. He dropped two games with at least 298 passing yards, and even threw for three touchdowns against the Patriots. The not-so-good: The Falcons went 3-5 in those games Penix started and finished. His 60.1% completion rate ranked fourth-worst among NFL QBs with at least eight starts, and his 88.5 QB rating? It tied for a dismal 26th-best in the entire league, coincidentally right there with Tua.
Tua’s Still the Favorite, But He’s Got Work To Do
Now, while everyone knows free agent signee Tua Tagovailoa is still the clear favorite to win this starting job, Penix getting fully cleared changes everything. This isn’t just about showing flashes anymore. It’s about full participation, 11-on-11 reps, and proving who can truly command this offense under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. As another source put it, “It’s just a true evaluation now with both guys being able to be in the huddle, control the line of scrimmage and control the game flow. You’re able to get a real sense from that aspect now and who’s able to bring this offense to life.” Tua himself hasn’t exactly been flawless this offseason. Sources say he “has grown, especially (transitioning) from what he was asked to do in Miami and what he’s asked to do now,” but he’s also had his share of ups and downs. That includes a lukewarm preseason opener against the Broncos where he managed just 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards. Plus, that 88.5 QB rating last season, remember? Tying Penix for 26th-best in the NFL is hardly something to brag about.
So, the clock is ticking. With Penix now set for his first 11-on-11 look, the Falcons have exactly three weeks before their regular season opener against the Steelers on September 13th. The starting spot isn’t just open for competition anymore, it’s a full-blown cage match. This new staff, led by Stefanski, is about to get a real look at who truly brings the juice to this offense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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