Overview

• Michael Penix Jr. has firmly established himself as Atlanta’s starting quarterback ahead of the 2025 season after outperforming expectations in spring sessions
• Penix led the league with 10.2 air yards per attempt in his initial starts and sent 47% of his throws beyond 10 yards downfield
• Drake London posted two 100-yard receiving games in three contests with Penix and capped Week 18 with 187 yards and two touchdowns
• Kirk Cousins remains on the Falcons’ roster with a $27.5 million backup salary and a no-trade clause after the team declined to cut or move him
• Former MVP Matt Ryan and ESPN analyst Dan Graziano have praised the Falcons’ shift toward cost-controlled rookie talent over Cousins’ fully guaranteed deal