Former Falcons QB helping Michael Penix Jr. ‘be a pro’

There was no sign of high-paid backup quarterback Kirk Cousins at the Falcons’ facility this week, but lines of communication are active between Atlanta starter Michael Penix Jr. and another former Falcons first-rounder.
Matt Ryan, 40, became a sounding board for Penix in the offseason, taking his lessons learned as a Super Bowl quarterback for the Falcons and packaging talking points intended to help Penix develop in his second season in the NFL. Ryan, the third overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, played for Atlanta his entire career (2008-22), winning the NFL MVP award in 2016.
“I spoke to Matt Ryan and had a good conversation with him (about) learning how to be a pro each and every day and how his process went,” Penix said. “I feel like he definitely gave me some good things. Obviously, he knows this is my second year coming into it (and) this is my first year starting. He talked to me about his times during that time and how he got to where he ended up.”
Penix, 25, said he’s been playing golf and spending quality time getting to know his teammates away from the field to grow their rapport between the lines.
“The one that I want to point (out) is just connecting with the guys,” Penix said of how his role changes with his rookie season in the rearview mirror. “I feel like I’ve done a lot better with connecting with everybody around the team. Not just offensive guys but defensive guys as well. Whether that’s just around the facility eating lunch or going out and playing golf with some of them. Don’t ask about my golf game.”
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris noted Penix has openly exercised his voice during OTAs in instances where he would’ve hung back out of humility last season. With confidence being more apparent, Morris is anxious to see what’s to follow.
“Eventually, it turns into a little bit of an arrogance about playing the position where it’s non-negotiable. We’re not there yet,” Morris said. “I don’t think we will be for a little bit, but I think he’s at the mode of where he’s starting to get that confidence to be able to figure out how to get to that point.”
Penix, the eighth overall pick of the 2024 draft, played in five games (three starts) in his rookie season, completing 61 of 105 passes (58.1 percent) for 775 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.