‘Really promising,’ Atlanta Falcons QB says of Michael Penix Jr.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in April, many viewers were surprised.

And while some players may have skipped the three-day event to focus on their offseason, Falcons backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke wasn’t one of them.

Instead, Heinicke said during organized team activities that his reaction reflected that of the majority.

“Obviously, we were all a little shocked by that pick,” Heinicke said. “But being in this league for 10 years, I’ve kind of seen it all. So we were shocked for a day or two, but that’s just the way it is.”

The same goes for starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was driving home from a team event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when he received a phone call from Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot moments before Penix’s selection was announced.

Shortly after, the four-time Pro Bowler’s agent released an official statement detailing much of the same shock Heinicke experienced.

But in the two months since, there have been no such concerns about the Falcons’ quarterback room. Heinicke, the only member of last year’s quarterback room still on the roster, said Penix and Cousins ​​have been excellent in meetings.

During OTAs, teams have meetings with rookies and veterans together, then other meetings with just the rookies, so Heinicke admitted he hasn’t spent much time working with Penix.

But let’s not get bogged down in this situation: Heinicke, whose status as the Falcons’ backup is in question due to Penix’s arrival, won’t hesitate to lend a helping hand to the 2023 Heisman finalist if necessary.

“When we’re on the field, if I see him struggling or anything, I’m definitely ready to help him in any way I can,” Heinicke said.

But through the first month of OTAs and minicamp, Heinicke saw a player who was far from struggling.

“He looks very promising,” Heinicke said. “He can throw the ball hard. So the more he develops and gets ready, the more I think he’s going to be a good player.”

Last season, the Falcons had three quarterbacks on their active roster: Heinicke, Desmond Ridder and Logan Woodside. Woodside was inactive on game days, but NFL rules allow the third quarterback to play if the two above him are injured during the game.

It’s possible Atlanta, with a new staff of Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, will take a similar approach this fall. The Falcons currently have four top players in Cousins, Penix, Heinicke and undrafted rookie John Paddock, who will have to move up the ranks to make the final roster.

But questions remain about whether Heinicke or Penix will be chosen as Cousins’ replacement. Weeks before the draft, Morris told league owners’ meetings that Heinicke was an elite backup, a belief that wasn’t affected by the addition of Penix.

There’s still uncertainty about Cousins’ replacement, Heinicke’s future and Penix’s role. And yet, Heinicke isn’t worried about anything with just over two weeks to go before training camp.

“I control what I can control,” Heinicke said. “I come in, try to be a good teammate, help Kirk or Mike or John in any way I can, and see what happens. This is my first rodeo, kind of. So I just try to come in, be the best person, the best teammate I can be, and I feel like everything else will take care of itself.”