Jake Matthews, the longest-tenured Falcon, knows what superb quarterback play looks like. He protected Matt Ryan’s blindside from 2014 through 2021, after all.
And he thinks Michael Penix Jr. has the makings of an excellent one.
“Just first off, he has great character,” Matthews said a day after Penix’s first NFL start, a 34-7 drubbing of the lowly Giants. “He’s a good person, someone you want to do well for. He works really hard. That’s been obvious this whole year. Even though he hasn’t been playing, you can tell he’s been on top of the game plan. He’s focused on what his role is here. Now that he’s getting the opportunity to play, I think he really took advantage of it.”
Penix went 18 for 27 for 202 yards in his first start, managing the game well against an overmatched opponent. He was charged an interception in the red zone when tight end Kyle Pitts botched a catch, but Penix protected the ball and didn’t force plays that weren’t there.
His play was better than the box score might indicate. After veteran Kirk Cousins unraveled in recent weeks, leading to his benching, the Falcons simply needed stability at the most important position as they try to secure a playoff berth. There might be times before this season concludes that Penix needs to play hero; Sunday wasn’t one.
“There’s just a little uncertainty in your first start; I remember my first start as a rookie, it’s hard and you don’t know what to expect,” Matthews said. “(Penix) really came out and I thought he was composed, confident. Did a really good job in the huddle. He did a good job leading the offense and really played well. Just really impressed by the way he carried himself and performed.”
Penix is a rarity during a period in which rookie quarterbacks often enter the NFL unseasoned. He made 45 collegiate starts for Indiana and Washington. He endured numerous injuries that tested his mental and physical resolve. He still transformed himself from unheralded recruit to first-round pick.
At Washington, under then-coach Kalen DeBoer, Penix’s Huskies went 25-3 while he had 67 touchdowns against 19 interceptions. Washington lost to Michigan in the national championship this past January, and that was Penix’s last start until he faced the Giants. New York is the NFL’s worst team, so this was an opportune time for Penix to take over, even though the Falcons hadn’t planned it this way.
The team said they didn’t want Penix to play this year. They were committed to Cousins until they simply couldn’t afford his low-level play any longer. Cousins, who will likely be on another team next season, handled the benching in a professional manner and has supported Penix daily.
“That’s a big part of (Penix’s immediate success),” Matthews said. “Kirk is the ultimate role model and leader. Just a guy who’s done it really well for a long time. I’m sure Mike has learned a lot from him. Kirk was nothing but supportive this week and this weekend as well. I think that speaks a lot to his character. So I know he’s going to be there for him again this week and this weekend, and we all have a big role to play in that.”
Here comes Penix’s first playoff-like test. The Falcons control their playoff destiny and can clinch the NFC South with wins at Washington and versus Carolina. The first of those will be Sunday Night Football this week, where Penix will face fellow rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and former Falcons coach Dan Quinn, both of whom have overseen a turnaround that’s brought the Commanders from also-ran to likely playoff team.
“The game this weekend – I’ve been around here for a while – this is as close to a playoff game as since 2017, really, the last time we were in the playoffs,” Matthews said. “So (Penix) getting his first start at home was helpful, but it’s going to be a really big test this weekend. A lot is going to be expected from him, myself and the rest of the offensive line, and us as a team. It’ll be a good challenge. I know that’s what Mike signed up for, what we all signed up for.”
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