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Falcons' new regime not committing to Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB
Falcons president Matt Ryan says the 2026 starting quarterback decision depends on head coach Kevin Stefanski amid Michael Penix Jr.'s ACL rehab and roster evaluation.
- On Tuesday, Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan declined to commit to Michael Penix Jr. as the starter while introducing new GM Ian Cunningham, saying 'Neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can't answer your question on that'.
- In the last month, Atlanta's new leadership — Ryan, Stefanski, and Cunningham — is evaluating the quarterback situation amid Penix's nine- to 12-month ACL recovery suffered last November.
- Penix's 2025 stat line shows a 60.1% completion rate for 1,982 yards in nine games, and over two years in Atlanta he has gone 4-8 with 59.6% completion for 2,757 yards.
- Ryan deferred the final quarterback decision to Kevin Stefanski, and a clearer choice is expected by March 13 because a $67.9 million guarantee on Kirk Cousins' 2027 salary vests then.
- Stephen A. Smith has criticized the Falcons' QB choices, noting 'five' and 'three' records for Cousins and Penix respectively, raising questions about the team's preference.
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12 Articles
Falcons’ new regime not committing to Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB
If Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was looking for a vote of confidence from the revamped Atlanta front office, he didn't get it during new GM Ian Cunningham's introductory press conference on Tuesday.When asked if Penix, who is recovering from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his second NFL season in November, will be the team's starter in 2026, new Falcons president of football operations Matt Ryan -- also a former Atlanta quarterback f…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Center
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources are Center
72% Center
14%
C 72%
14%
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