The Atlanta Falcons lost 44-38 in overtime to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. This loss, combined with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the New Orleans Saints, ended the Falcons’ chances of making the playoffs. Although the Falcons missed the postseason for the seventh year in a row, there was a sense of hope after this loss, mainly because of Michael Penix Jr.
The rookie quarterback threw for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the close game against the Panthers. Penix had been made the Falcons’ starting quarterback with just three games left in the season, replacing a struggling Kirk Cousins.
This put Penix in a difficult spot, trying to lead the team to the playoffs. He kept the Falcons in the race until the final game, but they came up short.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was very impressed with Penix’s performance in the game against the Panthers.
“Really proud of our youngster at quarterback giving us a chance, keeping us in that football game,” Morris said after the game. “The light at the end of the tunnel for us … is the quarterback.
The organization has a quarterback that is certainly bright, certainly our future, certainly can go out there and make any single play and play in any single game.”
Morris’s praise for Penix makes it clear that there is little chance for Cousins to remain the Falcons’ starting quarterback. Even though the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed before drafting Penix No. 8 overall, Morris fully believes in Penix.
“Michael Penix is certainly outstanding,” Morris said. “He’s certainly one of the guys that’s going to play in this league and absolutely dominate for as long as we allow him … When you’re working with a QB like that, you’re cooking with gas … When you look at No. 9, he gives us the best chance to win football games going forward.”
With a full offseason ahead for Penix, the team seems excited about his growth before next season. What will happen with Cousins and his contract is still uncertain, and it will be an important question for the team this offseason.
