Michael Penix Jr. enters the season with elevated expectations and three likely touchdown-outcome paths: immediate prolific passing, efficient but reduced production due to Bijan Robinson, or accuracy struggles causing difficult stretches. Penix Jr. demonstrates a tremendous arm, throws with anticipation, and can complete tight-window passes when accurate. The Falcons have not had a quarterback exceed 25 passing touchdowns since Matt Ryan in 2020 amid a shift toward Arthur Smith's run-first, condensed formations that suppressed passing output. Fan opinion is divided, but many project Penix Jr. to finish between 25 and 31+ touchdowns given his potential and limited starts.
The possibilities range from him hitting the ground running as one of the league's new prolific passers, still being efficient but not as productive due to Bijan Robinson's greatness, or having accuracy woes leading to difficult stretches. There is no denying Penix Jr.'s tremendous arm talent, from throwing with anticipation to completing precise tight-window throws where only his intended target can catch it. It's a matter of him doing it consistently.
There hasn't been a Falcons quarterback to throw more than 25 touchdowns since Matt Ryan in 2020. After consistently being one of the most potent aerial attacks in the 2010s, there has been a significant shift in how the Falcons' offense has operated in recent years. Arthur Smith's run-first mentality, utilizing heavy condensed formations, played its part in that. Failing to have a quarterback come close to reaching 25 passing touchdowns is a testament to how insipid the passing game has been.
Collection
[
|
...
]