![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770393257_666_GettyImages-2246042256-e1770164771621.jpg\")
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Atlanta Falcons<\/a> President of Football Matt Ryan<\/a> added some clarity regarding Michael Penix Jr.\u2019s<\/a> status as the team\u2019s starting quarterback in 2026.<\/p>\n During Ian Cunningham\u2019s introductory press conference, Ryan was asked if Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix<\/a> Jr. will be the starter when he returns.<\/p>\n \u201cNeither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can\u2019t answer your question on that,\u201d\u00a0Ryan said.<\/a>\u00a0 \u201cI think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster \u2014 how it currently stands, where it\u2019s going in the future \u2014 I think those are conversations that\u2019ll be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuarterback\u2019s obviously very important, and we\u2019re excited about Mike and what he\u2019s doing with his rehab. I\u2019ve been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael\u2019s been in there attacking that and he\u2019s in a good space right now, so we\u2019re excited about where he is at. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Ryan Is High on Penix Jr.<\/p>\n During a conversation with CBS Sports\u2019 Jonathan Jones<\/a>, Ryan wanted to clarify what he said during the press conference.<\/p>\n Matt Ryan addressing the false narrative that he isn\u2019t committed to Michael Penix Jr. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m high on Michael Penix. I have been for a long time,\u201d Ryan said<\/a>. \u201cHis ability to throw the football, his ability to layer the football, to drive it to all different parts of the field. I think Mike\u2019s awesome. I think he\u2019s done a great job with his rehab.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I\u2019m making clear is I\u2019m not the head coach of the football team. And I know what my role is and what my role is not. Kevin\u2019s responsibility is to be the head coach of the football team and he\u2019s going to let you know who our starters are and who our starters are not. It\u2019s not my place to go in there.\u201d<\/p>\n Penix completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards in nine games last season with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. The Atlanta Falcons were 3-6 in his starts.<\/p>\n Over his two years in Atlanta, Penix has gone 4-8 as a starter. Overall, Penix has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.<\/p>\n Michael Penix Jr. On Facing Pressure<\/p>\n After Ryan made his comments during the introductory press conference, Penix made an Instagram post about facing pressure and overcoming it.<\/p>\n Despite all the uncertainty, Penix is still motivated.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a man, you carry a lot of \u2018pressure\u2019 each and every day,\u201d Penix wrote in the caption of the post<\/a>. \u201cPressure to provide for your family, pressure to succeed in everything you do in life, pressure of letting everybody around you down. But one thing I never did and never will do is fold in the face of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWherever you at right now in my story, STAY THERE!\u201d Penix added<\/a>. \u201cI never needed motivation or a pat on the back! All I ever needed was an opportunity and as long as I got breath, I got that! The turtle race continues\u2026 Year 2.\u201d<\/p>\n Penix is still recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL, which he suffered last November. Penix suffered his injury after taking a sack in the third quarter of a Week 11 game against the Carolina Panthers<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDeonTay Smith<\/a> is a journalist who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with a focus on the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens. A graduate from Methodist University, Smith also covers local news for the Panama City News Herald and hosts his own YouTube podcast. More about DeonTay Smith<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Falcons\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t