ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is one of six players named team captains for the 2025 season.
Penix will be joined by offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom, offensive lineman Jake Matthews, safety Jessie Bates III, inside linebacker Kaden Elliss and punter Bradley Pinion.
Penix, Elliss and Pinion are captains for the first time. It’s Bates’ third straight year as captain and Lindstrom’s fifth. Matthews is captain for the second time.
The Falcons said the captains will wear a patch indicating the number of years they’ve been a team captain.
The captaincy is indicative of the pressure Penix faces in his first year as a starter. The eighth overall pick in 2024 started the last three games of the season after Kirk Cousins was benched. Penix is expected to start the season behind center for the Falcons.
The Falcons open the season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
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