NFL.com’s All-Breakout Team lists Michael Penix Jr. as staring quarterback
The Atlanta Falcons are less than a week away from kicking off training camp for the 2025 NFL season. After spending last year as the backup to Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. enters the season as the team’s starting quarterback. The former first-round pick appeared in five games (three starts) as a rookie.
Penix replaced a struggling Cousins for the final three games of the season, going 1-2 with both losses coming in overtime. While his overall numbers don’t jump out (775 passing yards, thee touchdowns, three interceptions), his poise and arm talent were on full display. The team averaged 32 points per game in Penix’s three starts.
With a full offseason to prepare, Penix has a chance to take off in 2025. Those around the NFL are anticipating big things from the second-year Falcons quarterback. NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks listed Penix as the starting QB on his “All-Breakout Team” for the 2025 season.
Penix listed as starting QB on NFL..com “All-Breakout Team” for 2025
Falcons fans should be excited about the offense’s potential with Penix at the helm, despite the small sample size by which we can judge the QB so far — he started just three games and appeared in five as a rookie last season. The left-hander has a wealth of playmakers at his disposal, with the size (Drake London), speed (Darnell Mooney), athleticism (Kyle Pitts) and explosiveness (Bijan Robinson) to score from anywhere on the field. As offensive coordinator Zac Robinson tweaks the scheme to build around Penix’s big arm and gunslinger mentality, the Falcons could become a scoring machine, with a spectacular sophomore dropping bombs in a vertical-based passing game designed to produce more explosive plays. — Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
As Brooks pointed out, Atlanta has no shortage of playmakers on offense. Penix and wide receiver Drake London quickly developed a connection last season. In the 2024 finale, London posted a career-high 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 10 receptions.
Penix has been working out with London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and others throughout the offseason, which bodes well for this group’s chemistry in 2025.
The Falcons are having both rookies and veterans report to their Flowery Branch training facility on July 23, with the first open practice coming on July 24. Check out the team’s full training camp practice schedule and our latest 53-man roster projection for the 2025 season.