The Michael Penix Jr. whom fans saw last Sunday in his first NFL regular-season start was not the one who arrived here last April as the No. 8 pick in the draft. What Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney saw from Penix after the draft was a quarterback too eager to let go of the ball,

Falcons rookie Michael Penix Jr. has patiently waited for his opportunity while the other quarterbacks in this year’s draft class have received all the headlines this season.

The Falcons have Penix set up well with an excellent run game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, good players to throw to like Drake London and Darnell Mooney (and maybe even Kyle Pitts if he can finally put it all together) and a sound offensive line to keep him upright. That will matter as Penix finds himself as an NFL quarterback.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

Not only will the Falcons face off against former head coach Dan Quinn, but rookies Michael Penix Jr. and Jayden Daniels are set to make NFL history. Penix, who will be making his second start, and Daniels,

Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. trained and went through the NFL draft process together on the way to becoming two of the five quarterbacks taken in the top 10. After going off the board earlier with the second pick by the Washington Commanders,

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels seems to make history. On Sunday, Daniels and the Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons, and he will make more history. According to NBC Sports,

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels worked out together in the offseason after finishing 1-2 in the Heisman race in 2023. Penix discusses their relationship and facing one another this weekend.