The Atlanta Falcons have some major hope this season for the first time in several years. Their young stars have now stacked experience and are becoming veterans in the league. However, all eyes are on second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Penix is a special talent — so much so that wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud believes he can lead the Falcons all the way.
“Boy, I’m excited, and I’m not gonna be surprised by any of it,” McCloud said. “I’ve watched [Penix] every day for the last year at practice, and I’m just ready to see him go into an experienced year, a polished year, and see how it goes — go all the way to the Super Bowl.”
Penix had a college career filled with adversity, including significant knee injuries. That history has shaped a new perspective on the game for the young quarterback.
“I don't really focus on it anymore," Penix said of his injury-filled past. "I talked about it before, my past. 2021 was a tough season for me because I was thinking about injuries. I wasn't able to play at a high level because that's where my mind was. I wasn't able to play at the level that I wanted to,” Penix told the media. “Now it's like, I've been injured four times. I just pray, trusting my faith and trust that God's going to protect me. I go out there and have fun because at any moment it could be my last play.”
After the season opener on Sunday, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield gave Penix the ultimate stamp of approval.
“I told him after the game, he’s going to be a problem in this league for a long time. I think he’s a great player. He’s decisive, goes through his reads, trusts his guys. He’s young but he’s got it,” Mayfield said.
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Penix finished the game with 298 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, and a 64% completion rate, according to ESPN. There’s no doubt Penix looks promising — and with Mayfield already offering such high praise in just year two, the sky truly seems to be the limit. He’ll look to get the Falcons in the win column in Minnesota.