The Atlanta Falcons are under new leadership going into the 2026 season. The team has welcomed several new faces, including general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski. A familiar name also returned to the fold in the president of football, Matt Ryan.
After spending 14 years in Atlanta as the starting quarterback, Ryan returns as part of the front office. Current quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recently chimed in on the move.
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Coming off his second season, the quarterback started just nine games after suffering a torn ACL in Week 11. Penix completed 166 of 276 passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, three interceptions and an 88.5 passer rating.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9).© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(© Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Going into the 2026 season, he is still trying to prove he can be a franchise quarterback. While pressure mounts, Penix made his opinion of Ryan clear before the latter’s first season in the Falcons’ front office.
“He knows how to win here,” Penix said while on “Up & Adams,” hosted by Kay Adams. “That’s the biggest thing you know, he knows how to win here and he knows what it looks like. … I’ve got a lot of respect to him and what he’s done for the Falcons organization in his career. … He’s never been nothing but genuine to me and just always giving me whatever resources I need.”
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Aiming for a Week 1 return, the former signal-caller for the Washington Huskies and Indiana Hoosiers has struggled to get the Falcons into the win column. In 12 career starts, he has a 4-8 record. After being selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.
However, in a new offense under Stefanski and the ability to lean on Ryan, a former MVP, Penix is looking to end Atlanta’s eight-year playoff drought.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.