While the Atlanta Falcons may have to be prepared for the possibility of beginning the 2026 season without Michael Penix Jr. as he continues to work his way back from surgery to repair a partially torn ACL, 92-9 The Game’s Carl Dukes and Mark Zinno discussed why they agreed regardless of who is under center once the season gets underway, the key for the Falcons will come down to how they invest this offseason.
“Best thing I heard when it comes to the Falcons,” Dukes said as he shared his thoughts on hearing Falcons defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, discuss the importance of defense for teams building championship rosters. “Forget your quarterback,” Dukes said as he explained why he believes the Falcons do not need for Penix Jr. to play MVP level football as long as they get great defensive play.
“This gives me hope Zinno. He’s laying it out to you and I know it’s hard for us to believe it but Houston, Seattle, New England, Denver, Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs with arguably the best quarterback on the planet. Not because of their quarterback, who played well in that game, but because of their defense,” Dukes said.