The former Tampa Bay Tech standout went 1-2 in his rookie season after taking over from Kirk Cousins as the starter.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is shown during a joint practice with the Titans last month in Flowery Branch, Ga. The former Tampa Bay Tech standout will make his first start against the Bucs Sunday in Atlanta.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is shown during a joint practice with the Titans last month in Flowery Branch, Ga. The former Tampa Bay Tech standout will make his first start against the Bucs Sunday in Atlanta.
TAMPA — Michael Penix Jr. will be starting a game against his hometown team for the first time Sunday, forcing many friends and mutinied family members to jump ship from the Buccaneers to support the Falcons quarterback.
“Some of them are like, ‘Hey, we’re rooting for you, but we’re rooting for our team, the home team back there,” Penix, who spent most of his youth in Dade City and graduated from Tampa Bay Tech, said during his weekly news conference Wednesday in Atlanta.
“But it’s not that bad. A lot of people where I’m from in my city, they all root for me and always wish me good luck. Most of them are fans of the Falcons now.”
Despite winning a fourth straight NFC South title, the Bucs were swept by the Falcons last season, though Penix didn’t play in either game. Kirk Cousins led both comebacks, including one in overtime. He combined to pass for 785 yards and eight touchdowns.
Penix didn’t start until the final three games of the season, going 1-2. But his ability to push the football down the field with his powerful left arm likely won him the job for 2025.
“Just seeing the three games last year and obviously in the (College Football) Playoff game (with Washington in January 2024), he’s strong-armed — very strong-armed — (and) very accurate," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “He throws a great deep ball. He can check it down. He looks off very well and goes the other way. He can really put the ball in there. He can really thread needles. If you’re not fundamentally or technically sound, he’s going to beat you.”
Cousins has remained on the team as the backup quarterback, despite signing a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024.
Two things really jump out to the Bucs about defending Penix versus Cousins. Penix is left-handed and typically will roll out to the side of his throwing arm, which is among the stronger ones in the NFL.
![Michael Penix Jr. warms up before a preseason game against the Cowboys last month in Arlington, Texas. Unlike former Falcons starter Kirk Cousins, Penix is left-handed and will typically roll out to the side of his throwing arm, which is among the strongest in the NFL.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E)
Michael Penix Jr. warms up before a preseason game against the Cowboys last month in Arlington, Texas. Unlike former Falcons starter Kirk Cousins, Penix is left-handed and will typically roll out to the side of his throwing arm, which is among the strongest in the NFL.
“Other than watching him during his college career, I know a couple of guys who played with him,” said Bucs inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis. “A couple of my teammates. I’ve been watching him. He’s a great player to me. A great guy. I love the way he throws the football.”
There is another obvious thing the Bucs have to be concerned with: Penix and the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa are the only left-handed starting quarterbacks in the league.
It doesn’t sound like much of an adjustment, but there are some players who will be affected.
“You’ve just got to remember he’s left-handed,” Bowles said. “The balls that typically go to the right may go to the left now. ... Where the right corner got certain things, the left corner may get certain things. But other than that, you just play.”
Bucs outside linebacker Yaya Diaby said he has to be mindful not to rush too far upfield and give Penix a rushing lane.
“Me being on the right side, I’ve got to make sure I’m super mindful and super careful with how I rush him with the depth and everything,” Diaby said. “So, I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
![Michael Penix Jr. signals to the sideline during a game against the Washington Commanders in December in Landover, Md. He went 1-2 last season in three games as a starter.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E)
Michael Penix Jr. signals to the sideline during a game against the Washington Commanders in December in Landover, Md. He went 1-2 last season in three games as a starter.
Penix has no shortage of weapons.
The Falcons can run the football with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. He has receiving weapons outside with Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud. Tight end Kyle Pitts has been a bit of an enigma, but he’s been dominant against the Bucs. In six career games against Tampa Bay, Pitts has 26 receptions for 404 yards and three touchdowns.
“They have an exceptional running game,” said Bucs defensive pass game coordinator George Edwards. “They’ve got two really good backs that can carry the football, and they do a good job of making explosive plays down the field. The receivers are tough matches.
“They have a plethora of weapons that we’re going to be facing Sunday. I think our guys will rise to the challenge, but there will be tough, contested throws down the field with their receivers and backs out of the backfield.”
While the Bucs will be without left tackle Tristan Wirfs, Penix faces perhaps a more daunting situation on his blind side. Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary is out for the season with a leg injury, and backup Storm Norton will miss 6-8 weeks following ankle surgery.
“Mike feels great about it,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “He’s one of the most confident kids you’ve probably been around. Or hate to even call them that — young man that you can be around. But he’s just confident in his guys.”
Even if a few of his friends and family will have some split allegiances on Sunday.
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