The Atlanta Falcons decision to not play rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in Saturday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens was a strange one and their explanation on why they made that decision was even more strange.
Speaking to the media after the game, Morris explained that the decision came after the staff agreed that Penix had shown them enough in last week’s preseason game against the Miami Dolphins to not need to see him play today.
“Asked Raheem Morris what went into the decision to not play Michael Penix Jr. today. He said Penix showed the coaching staff enough in that first preseason game in Miami that they didn’t feel the need to play him today,” Falcons beat reporter Tori McElhaney wrote on Twitter/X.
The Falcons also won’t play Penix Jr. in the team’s final preseason game next week, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz:
The Falcons continue to confuse the hell out of people with the way they’ve handled their quarterback situation this offseason, and sitting Penix Jr. is just another example.
Atlanta made a huge commitment to Kirk Cousins in free agency, signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract. It was a move that signaled the team was all-in around Cousins, who was 35-years-old and coming off a torn Achilles. But then, in April the team selected Penix with the No. 8 overall pick rather than using the pick to build around Cousins.
With Penix slated to sit behind Cousins at least to start the 2024 season, it would make sense for the Falcons to get as many reps for him during the preseason but instead, he will sit after just playing a quarter in the team’s first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
The decision to sit Penix Jr. didn’t sit well with fans:
