The Falcoholic on Michael Penix Jr.
From the article
The Falcons went out this spring and signed Tua as both competition and insurance for Michael Penix Jr., who told media (and the team, obviously) that he was close but not quite ready to play... Penix both has to wait for Tua to wilt and be ready to go when that happens and play very well and avoid any further major injuries.
STACKED’s take
Penix has narrow path to franchise QB role; must wait for Tua to falter, then excel while staying healthy.
Backup QB with a narrow path to become Atlanta's franchise quarterback. Penix told media he was close but not quite ready to play at the start of the season, earning him criticism from some fans and analysts. The source believes Penix will be medically cleared and ready by the end of the first month of the season. However, his path is constrained: he must wait for Tua to falter to get his shot, then play very well while avoiding further major injuries, and convince the coaching staff and front office he's the future. The Falcons have Penix under contract next year with a fifth-year option exercisable in April 2028, giving them incentive to evaluate him. A healthy Penix likely would have outdueled Tua for the starting job. The source notes that if Penix is not both injury-free and excellent when he gets into the lineup, the Falcons will be hesitant to commit to him past 2026.
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