How did Michael Penix Jr.'s first Week 1 start compare to other Falcons QBs?
When an NFL team finds the right quarterback, the relationship can last for years. The Atlanta Falcons had to go through one of the worst seasons in franchise history, before drafting Matt Ryan with the third overall pick in 2008.
Ryan lasted 14 years in Atlanta before the team traded him away. Since moving on from the former league MVP, Atlanta has struggled to find its next franchise quarterback. While the future looks bright with Michael Penix Jr ., only time will tell.
Penix played well in his first Week 1 start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Falcons lost the game, but the second-year quarterback did everything he could to keep them in it until the final seconds.
Let's take a look at how the Falcons' last five starting quarterbacks performed in their first Week 1 start for Atlanta.
2008: Matt Ryan vs. Detroit Lions
Matt Ryan, fresh from college, was given the day one starting role with essentially no competition. His 2008 season opener is memorable because his first NFL throw was a 62-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins. This came on the third play of the entire game following two Michael Turner runs. While the start was solid, Ryan didn't need to do much else as Turner carried the ball for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Ryan would end the day completing nine of 13 passes with 161 yards and one touchdown in the 34-21 win over Detroit.
2022: Marcus Mariota vs. New Orleans Saints
For the first time since the 2007 season, the Falcons went with a new starting QB in 2022. Marcus Mariota's debut wouldn't be a bad showing by any measure, but there were two critical moments that prevented the Falcons from winning. Mariota had two fumbles, with only one being recovered. In the fourth quarter, Mariota fumbled the snap, giving the ball back to New Orleans with less than a minute left. The Saints moved the ball with ease to set up the game-winning for a 27-26 victory. Mariota ended the afternoon going 20-for-33 for 215 yards with no touchdowns. He was effective as a runner though, totaling 72 yards and one touchdown.
2023: Desmond Ridder vs. Carolina Panthers
While Desmond Ridder started a few games during the prior season after Marcus Mariota was benched, he got the Week 1 start for his sophomore season (similar to Penix). This was the first time that many Falcons fans realized how hard it was going to be to replace a franchise staple. Ridder didn't do much in the Falcons' win over Carolina, completing 15 of 18 passes for 115 yards. He did manage to throw one touchdown pass. Ridder was later benched multiple times for Taylor Heinicke in a never-ending game of quarterback musical chairs.
2024: Kirk Cousins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Falcons thought that bringing in a seasoned veteran would bring some stability, but Kirk Cousins' slow start foreshadowed what would happen later in the season. Cousins clearly had lingering issues from his Achilles tear and could barely move in the pocket. He started off the season with an 18-10 loss to an offense led by former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. Cousins ended the afternoon completing 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
2025: Michael Penix Jr. vs Tampa Bay Bucs
Michael Penix Jr., like Ridder, started a few games during his rookie year but spent most of it on the bench. Penix was named the full-time starter after the season. No Falcons quarterback has started successive seasons since Ryan in 2020 and 2021. In terms of Week 1 starts, Penix's performance is probably the best of the bunch. While the game ended in a 23-20 loss to the Buccaneers, Penix went 27 for 42 with 298 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing).
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Michael Penix had Falcons' best Week 1 start since Matt Ryan
