Michael Penix Jr. officially named Falcons starter for a short-week trial by fire against Packers

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The mercifully short Cooper Rush era in Atlanta is officially dead, even if unwatchable Falcons football is still alive and well. Head coach Kevin Stefanski officially named Michael Penix Jr. QB1 for Thursday night’s clash against the Packers, desperately seeking any sign of life from an offense that hit absolute rock bottom during an atrocious 0-2 start.

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Penix has been sidelined since November 2025 after suffering his third career ACL tear in a Week 11 loss to Carolina. After playing it cautious all summer and splitting first-team reps last week, Penix finally gave his reconstructed left knee the green light.

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The change became an absolute necessity after Sunday's brutal 34-3 beatdown. Through two weeks, Atlanta's offense has limped to just 16 total points and hasn't snapped the ball a single time inside the red zone.

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Rush was handed the Week 2 start after putting up a dismal 2.6 QBR in the opener, and the sequel was even uglier. He coughed up three turnovers against Carolina with two picks and a lost fumble before getting benched in the third quarter. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand entered in relief and immediately tossed a pick-six, capping off a complete disaster for Atlanta's passing game.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) walks off the field after overtime of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta on Nov. 16, 2025. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta ended up in this spot after offseason signee Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during a Thursday practice right before Week 1. Tagovailoa had won the starting job in training camp, leaving Rush to take over by default.

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Stefanski held off on making the announcement official until addressing the locker room on Monday afternoon.

"I will give you an update when I've been able to talk to the players and work through it," Stefanski shared. "So, I don't have an update right this minute. But again, constant communication with Mike, with all of our guys, so we'll work through it this week."

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Penix is getting thrown straight into the fire on a short week at Lambeau Field.

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Facing Green Bay's pass rush on limited practice reps is a heavy ask, but Penix's arm strength gives Atlanta its best shot at backing defenses off, opening lanes for Bijan Robinson and perhaps getting Drake London and Kyle Pitts involved.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Alejandro Avila is a longtime writer at OutKick, living in Southern California.