It sure seems like Falcons players want Michael Penix Jr. to start over Tua Tagovailoa

During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter explained that Tua Tagovailoa did not secure the Week 1 starting role during a challenging summer in Flowery Branch. With Michael Penix being officially cleared for 11-on-11 team drills after recovering from left knee surgery, the Falcons now find themselves in a genuine quarterback competition as the regular season approaches.

Beyond the logistical aspects of the depth chart, the atmosphere inside the Falcons’ facility noticeably changed once Penix returned to the field. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees spoke to reporters about the emotional boost in the locker room. According to Falcons.com digital editor Tori McElhaney, Rees highlighted, “There was a lot of joy with Michael Penix out on the field,” emphasizing that his teammates were genuinely excited to have him leading drills again.

ESPN’s Marc Raimondi also reported that Rees observed: “a lot of joy for Penix to be out there yesterday, and a lot of joy from his teammates.” Additionally, Falcons team writer Will McFadden mentioned that Rees stated, “I could not be more pleased with the work that he’s put in and where he’s at mentally.” When asked by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter whether Penix would play in the preseason finale, Rees noted, “Really not a question for me to answer.”

The overwhelming excitement from teammates aligns with evaluations from national insiders. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pointed out that while Atlanta initially preferred to gradually ease Penix back into action, nine months after his ACL tear, Tagovailoa’s noticeable struggles during preseason games and team practices have made a cautious approach almost impossible. If Penix demonstrates full physical readiness, it seems the locker room and coaching staff are ready to allow him to lead the offense.

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