A Milestone for Penix
Michael Penix Jr. took the first snap at quarterback during Monday's practice, marking his first exposure to team drills this preseason. The clearance for 11-on-11 work, announced by head coach Kevin Stefanski after Atlanta's 34-6 preseason win at Indianapolis, allows the quarterback to participate in full team settings for the first time since the knee injury that ended his 2025 season.
Before Monday, Penix had been limited to individual drills and seven-on-seven work. Stefanski said the move to 11-on-11 was a crucial step. "We are evaluating everything, evaluating every drill and those types of things," he told reporters, according to the Associated Press. "But 11 on 11 is the closest approximation to football and those preseason games are games and they're keeping score and those types things. So this is a big step for Mike and he's excited."
Stefanski said his focus on Monday was simply seeing Penix make it through the practice, and the quarterback showed no sign of being limited. Offensive tackle Wanya Morris, who was quoted by the Associated Press, said of Penix's return: "It's just good to have him back on the field, seeing him doing good, smiling, making plays." Wide receiver Jahan Dotson also commented, saying having Penix in team drills was "a step in the right direction" and that "he has a rocket for an arm," as reported by the Associated Press.
The Quarterback Competition
Penix's return intensifies the competition with Tua Tagovailoa, who signed with the Falcons in the offseason. Reports from NBC Sports and Heavy. have described Tagovailoa as the presumed starter, but his recent practice struggles—he sat out Saturday's game like most starters and has been dealing with a "tight back"—have raised questions about the team's plans.
Stefanski told reporters on Monday, via a transcript from the team and reported by NBC Sports, that Penix and Tagovailoa would split first-team reps on Monday. However, when asked if it's realistic for Penix to start in Week 1, he said, "can't speculate." He also said, "Everything we do around this building is competing," according to the same report.
The Falcons have not named a Week 1 starter, and Stefanski has declined to do so. He said the starters are planning to play in Friday's preseason finale at Miami, but he did not confirm whether Penix would be among them. "I want to get through today," Stefanski said when asked if Penix would play, adding that "obviously it's Mike's first time back out there."
Penix's recovery timeline has been gradual. He said in late July, as reported by NBC Sports, that it might be "another four weeks" before he moved to the next stage, and he has not yet participated in team drills during training camp. He is also not expected to join joint practices with the Colts next week, per Stefanski, which could limit his readiness for the season opener.
The Role of Jack Strand
In Saturday's win over the Colts, undrafted free agent Jack Strand, from Minnesota State-Moorhead, delivered an impressive performance. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown, adding a 16-yard rushing score, as reported by the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated. At one point, he was 8-of-8 for 155 yards with a perfect passer rating, and the Falcons outgained the Colts 461 yards to 164.
Stefanski praised Strand's mental preparation, saying he got "great mental work" despite limited reps, according to Sports Illustrated. However, the coach made clear that Strand is not currently an option to start. "At this point, Jack's going to work with the twos and threes," Stefanski said, adding that the team is "excited about his development."
Strand said his expectations have "definitely not" changed, as quoted in the Associated Press report. The team appears to be taking a measured approach with the young quarterback, emphasizing player development over immediate starting opportunities.
Awaiting a Decision
The Falcons are one of the last teams to announce their Week 1 starter, a situation that multiple outlets, including NBC Sports, have noted. Tagovailoa, who has been sidelined at various points during camp with a back issue, remains in the mix, but Penix's return adds a new layer of uncertainty.
Stefanski said he is planning to play his starters against the Dolphins on Friday, but he has not committed to a decision on the quarterback position. Cooper Rush, who signed with the team on Wednesday, would be the likely emergency starter if both Tagovailoa and Penix are unavailable, according to NBC Sports.
As the regular season draws closer, the Falcons' quarterback situation remains fluid. Penix's progress is a positive sign, but the team is still weighing its options. With the final preseason game approaching, a decision may come sooner rather than later.