The Atlanta Falcons have turned to Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback.
The decision follows Atlanta’s 34-3 home defeat by NFC South rival Carolina on Sunday. Across Cooper Rush’s two games as the temporary starter, the Falcons managed just one touchdown and 16 total points.
Penix’s powerful arm helped make him the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he has taken a careful approach to his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury that ended his 2025 season.
Speaking on Wednesday, Penix said there were “just a couple technical things that I want to hit, some goals that I have, that I want to achieve” before returning to game action.
Penix went 3-6 in his nine starts for the Falcons in 2025, completing 60.1 per cent of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Rush and rookie Jack Strand, by comparison, have combined for five interceptions and only one touchdown over the opening two games.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that he had “a decent idea of where we’re going” at quarterback for the week. His decision to inform the team before making a public announcement appeared to signal that a change could be imminent.
The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback
Coach Kevin Stefanski has replaced Cooper Rush with the recovering Penix Jr.
Stefanski has consistently backed Penix’s measured rehabilitation. “I talk to Mike every day and, like I’ve told you guys, I’m very confident in our discussions with Mike, with medical, throughout this entire process,” he said.
On September 9, Stefanski announced that Tua Tagovailoa would begin the season as the starter. Tagovailoa was later ruled out of the opener at Pittsburgh after sustaining an oblique injury in practice. He did not practice last week and was inactive against Carolina.
“Getting better,” Stefanski said Monday when asked about Tagovailoa. “We’ll work through what that means for this week, but definitely getting better.”
Rush has completed 22 of 39 attempts for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Atlanta signed him on July 29 after Tagovailoa began training camp dealing with tightness in his lower back.
Almost nothing has gone right for an Atlanta offense that has scored only 16 points across two defeats. The running game, however, provides a reason for optimism. Bijan Robinson rushed for 72 yards against Carolina, while Brian Robinson contributed 51. The Falcons finished with 157 rushing yards at an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Entering Monday, Rush was tied with New England quarterback Drake Maye for the NFL lead with four interceptions. His performance lacked the arm strength and accuracy required to direct the offense or retain the starting role.
Late in the first half, Jahan Dotson broke open behind the Panthers’ secondary, but Rush’s pass fell short and forced him to wait for the ball. On another second-quarter drive, Rush missed high and wide while targeting Olamide Zaccheaus, then threw wide of an open Drake London on a separate incompletion.
Rush also lost a fumble on a nine-yard run at the beginning of the game. The turnover, the first of five by Atlanta, gave Carolina an early touchdown opportunity, and the Falcons were unable to recover.
Rush has completed 22 of 39 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions
The running game offers Atlanta hope, with Bijan Robinson among the NFL’s best
Strand completed eight of 15 passes for 59 yards, while his first attempt was intercepted by Devin Lloyd and returned for a touchdown. Despite that difficult start, Strand’s athleticism and arm strength make him an intriguing prospect.
“I’m very excited about Jack’s development and the work that he’s putting in,” Stefanski said. “To see where he’s come from day one until now, I am really proud of him, and he’ll continue to work and he will be better for the reps he got yesterday.”
Tight end Kyle Pitts has only one reception for 15 yards through two games. He had only three targets against the Panthers and has only four for the season. Pitts had 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.
Stefanski said Pitts’ limited role does not reflect the team’s plan for the tight end.
‘Kyle’s a big part of what we do,’ Stefanski said. ‘I know the production hasn’t been there for him or our offense in the first two games, but that’s not indicative of what we have planned with Kyle because he´s a good football player.’
Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, who had been questionable with a shoulder injury, left in the first quarter with a groin injury. Linebacker Samson Ebukam left late in the first half. RT Jawaan Taylor was listed as questionable in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons will visit Green Bay on Thursday night. The Packers improved to 1-1 with a 20-17 overtime win at the New York Jets.
