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The Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and released Cooper Rush in a corresponding roster move, according to multiple reports on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Sources including ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed the transaction. Dalton, most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, arrives as experienced depth for a 2-4 Falcons team that has navigated injuries and inconsistent play at the position.
Atlanta Falcons Sign Veteran Andy Dalton Over Quarterback Situation
Atlanta has carried four quarterbacks for much of the season: starter Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Rush, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Penix has dealt with injury issues, including recovery from a prior ACL injury and a recent rib issue, while Tagovailoa missed early time with an oblique injury.
Rush started the first two games while the others were sidelined. He completed 22 of 39 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions in losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. The Falcons scored a combined 16 points in those contests.
Penix has since taken over as the clear starter. He returned for Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears and said he came through the game healthy. Tagovailoa saw action in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens and threw a game-ending interception in overtime.
The expected depth chart places Penix as QB1, Tagovailoa as QB2, Dalton as QB3, and Strand as QB4. Some reports suggest Dalton could compete with Tagovailoa for the primary backup role given both players’ injury histories.
Andy Dalton’s Path to Atlanta
The 38-year-old Dalton is in his 16th NFL season and has started 169 games. A three-time Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2014, 2016) during his long tenure as the Cincinnati Bengals’ starter from 2011 to 2019, he has career totals of 39,793 passing yards, 254 touchdowns, and 152 interceptions (62.6% completion rate) across stints with the Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Eagles.
Dalton began 2026 with the Eagles after a trade from the Panthers. He appeared in one game, throwing an interception on his only pass attempt while filling in briefly for Jalen Hurts. The Eagles released him on October 9. When Hurts later went on injured reserve with a blood clot issue, Philadelphia reportedly offered Dalton a return, but he declined and chose Atlanta instead.
With the Panthers from 2023 to 2025, he started seven games and showed solid efficiency in limited action, including a 67.6% completion rate on 37 attempts for 293 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in 2025.
Why Release Cooper Rush?
Rush, a former Cowboys backup who also played for the Ravens in 2025, signed with Atlanta in July amid early-season injury concerns for Penix and Tagovailoa. His early starts were ineffective, and once the other quarterbacks returned, his role diminished to emergency depth. Cutting him to free a 53-man roster spot for Dalton was widely viewed as the logical move, as Tagovailoa remains the preferred backup and Strand offers longer-term developmental upside.
Outlook
For a Falcons team sitting second in a tight NFC South race (behind the 3-2 Panthers), the addition provides insurance. Penix has shown promise when healthy, but the team’s three losses this season have come in games he did not finish. Dalton brings a proven, if no longer elite, arm and extensive experience operating NFL offenses as a reliable veteran presence.
Atlanta next faces the undefeated San Francisco 49ers at home on October 25. Whether Dalton sees the field will depend on the health of those ahead of him on the depth chart.
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ATLANTA — Caleb Williams completed his first 12 passes in his return from a hamstring injury, D’Andre Swift scored two rushing touchdowns, and the Chicago Bears (4-2) defeated the Atlanta Falcons (2-4) 31-23 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Bears built a commanding 31-7 lead before holding off a fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Falcons.
Bears Beat Falcons’ Late Rally for 31-23 Win as Caleb Williams Returns
Chicago controlled the clock with roughly 40 minutes of possession to Atlanta’s 20, while forcing key turnovers that limited the home team’s chances.
Williams, who missed three games, looked sharp and mobile. He finished 30-of-36 for 305 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. On Chicago’s opening drive, he went 6-of-6 for 64 yards, capped by a 14-yard scoring pass to tight end Colston Loveland. He remained perfect through his first 12 attempts (142 yards) before an incompletion in the second quarter.
Swift punched in short touchdowns from 4 and 2 yards. Roschon Johnson added a 4-yard rushing score in the third quarter, and Cairo Santos connected on a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth to push the lead to 31-7. The Bears’ ground game and efficient passing kept drives alive, even as Chicago was flagged for 12 penalties totaling 133 yards.
Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., returning after leaving the previous week’s overtime loss to Baltimore with a rib injury, threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-33 passing. He connected with Jahan Dotson on a 13-yard score in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 14-7.
In the fourth, he found Kyle Pitts for a 10-yard touchdown (with a two-point conversion to Zachariah Branch) and later a 5-yard score (two-point conversion to Drake London), trimming the margin to 31-23.
The Falcons’ rally was fueled in part by a Roschon Johnson fumble that set up one of the late scores. However, turnovers and special-teams miscues hurt Atlanta earlier: Branch lost a fumble on a fair-catch attempt late in the first half (giving Chicago the ball at the Atlanta 10) and another on a kickoff return. Penix was sacked five times.
Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon, activated from the physically unable to perform list after a calf injury, made a major impact with three sacks and two forced fumbles. His biggest play came with 2:54 remaining, when he sacked Penix and forced a fumble recovered by Devin Bush at the Atlanta 28. Chicago then ran out the clock inside the 5-yard line.
Scoring summary (approximate)
- 1st: Loveland 14-yard pass from Williams (Santos kick); Swift 4-yard run (Santos kick) — CHI 14-0
- 2nd: Dotson 13-yard pass from Penix (Folk kick); Swift 2-yard run (Santos kick) — CHI 21-7 at half
- 3rd: Johnson 4-yard run (Santos kick) — CHI 28-7
- 4th: Santos 50-yard field goal; Pitts 10-yard pass from Penix (2-pt); Pitts 5-yard pass from Penix (2-pt) — Final CHI 31-23
Other notables included Luther Burden III (8 catches, 95 yards) for Chicago and strong efforts from Bijan Robinson (9 carries, 61 yards) and Drake London for Atlanta. A scary moment occurred when Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels was carted off with a neck injury after a helmet-first tackle; he was reported alert with movement in all extremities and was being evaluated at a local hospital.
The win gives Ben Johnson’s Bears a boost after a recent loss and keeps them in the mix in the NFC North. For Kevin Stefanski’s Falcons, the home defeat (now 0-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium) underscores ongoing challenges with consistency and ball security despite a competitive late push.
Chicago hosts New England on Thursday night. Atlanta hosts San Francisco next Sunday.
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The Atlanta Falcons will stage the first red-out in Mercedes-Benz Stadium history on Sunday night, when they host the Baltimore Ravens in a prime-time Week 5 matchup that also features a Ring of Honor ceremony and a new uniform look.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on October 11 on NBC, with Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark on the call. Fans are asked to wear red; the club is not distributing red apparel at seats. The request lines up with the team’s red jerseys paired with black pants, a combination Atlanta has not worn this season after previously showing the red tops with white pants.
Falcons Red Out Game: Sunday Night Vs. Baltimore Ravens
The night doubles as a franchise milestone. At halftime, former defensive end John Abraham will be inducted as the 15th member of the Falcons’ Ring of Honor.
Nicknamed “The Predator,” Abraham recorded 68.5 sacks in seven seasons with Atlanta (2006–2012), the most officially credited in team history, and reached double-digit sacks four times. He earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2010. Offensive lineman Bill Fralic will join the Ring later in the season. Concessions will mark the occasion with “No. 55 Abraham Loaded Tots” at Molly B’s on the 100 level. Before kickoff, mascot Freddie Falcon is scheduled for a highline stunt; the team has asked fans to be in their seats by 8 p.m.
Players have leaned into the atmosphere. Running back Bijan Robinson said he hopes the building is “packed out with all the red” and that the crowd brings “that energy, bring that juice.” Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has framed the night more simply: the team needs its fans to show up. Atlanta is coming off back-to-back prime-time wins over the Packers and Saints that outscored those opponents by a combined 42 points, with Penix back in the lineup and Bijan and Brian Robinson combining for eight touchdowns over those two weeks. The Falcons enter at 2-2 and share the NFC South lead with Carolina. Their run defense, allowing 48.3 yards per game, will face a Ravens ground game that ranks among the league’s best, led by Derrick Henry.
Baltimore arrives at 3-1 with Lamar Jackson’s status uncertain after an ankle injury suffered against Tennessee. If he cannot play, Tyler Huntley would start, with Zay Flowers as a primary receiving threat. Either way, the red-out is meant to turn Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a single-color backdrop for a national audience—the Falcons’ third and final prime-time game in as many weeks.
For those watching from home, the game airs on NBC and streams on Peacock (and NFL+ on mobile inside the Atlanta market). Local radio is on 92.9 The Game, with Wes Durham and Dave Archer.
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The Atlanta Falcons crashed New Orleans’ anniversary party Monday night, turning a Superdome celebration into a statement win. Bijan Robinson’s 59-yard touchdown run on Atlanta’s third play set the tone, and the Falcons never trailed in a 45-24 rout of the Saints on Monday Night Football.
Falcons Blow Out Saints in New Orleans
The game marked the 20th anniversary of the “Domecoming,” the Saints’ emotional 2006 return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. That night began with Steve Gleason’s famous punt block and a wire-to-wire Saints win over these same Falcons.
Two decades later, the script flipped immediately. Robinson burst untouched for the score, hit 21.78 mph—the fastest speed by an offensive ball-carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats—and silenced a crowd still settling in. Atlanta led 14-0 after one quarter and 24-7 at halftime.
Robinson finished with 19 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The long score was his third rushing touchdown of 50-plus yards on Monday Night Football, tying Emmitt Smith for the most in league history. It was also his fourth straight MNF game with at least 125 rushing yards, matching the longest such streaks by Smith and Eric Dickerson. Brian Robinson Jr. supplied the finishing power, scoring on runs of 4, 8, and 11 yards.
Together the Robinsons produced five rushing touchdowns and more than 200 yards on the ground. The Falcons outgained New Orleans on the ground roughly 205 to 50 and controlled the line of scrimmage even after losing left tackle Jake Matthews early in his 200th career start.
Michael Penix Jr., back from a major 2025 knee injury and coming off a 35-14 win at Green Bay, was efficient rather than flashy: 15 of 20 for 223 yards and a 31-yard touchdown to Jahan Dotson that pushed the lead to 38-17 and sent fans toward the exits.
Drake London added five catches for 96 yards. Atlanta answered every Saints push. When Alvin Kamara’s second touchdown of the night—his first two of the season—cut the margin to 31-17 early in the fourth, Penix and Dotson answered within five plays.
New Orleans (1-3) never recovered from a sluggish start. Its first three drives produced a three-and-out, a missed field goal, and a one-snap possession ended by a Kendre Miller fumble. Tyler Shough completed 30 of 48 passes for about 288 yards and a late touchdown to Devaughn Vele, and Chris Olave caught eight passes for 114 yards, but the Saints managed only 50 rushing yards.
Second-year coach Kellen Moore called the result frustrating and disappointing. The 45 points allowed were the most New Orleans has surrendered to Atlanta since a 45-32 loss on the 10-year Domecoming anniversary in 2016, and the five rushing touchdowns were the most the Saints had given up in a game since 2012.
The Falcons improved to 2-2 and stayed even in the NFC South race. They have now won consecutive prime-time games and moved to 10-1 on Monday Night Football since 2015. For a rivalry defined by the 2006 Superdome return, Monday’s result was a clear reminder that the current edge belongs to Atlanta’s ground game.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and his wife, Olivia Penix, have shared that they are expecting their first child.
On October 3, 2026, Olivia posted an Instagram Reel to her account with the caption “upgraded to mom and dad.” The short video shows the couple in a bright home interior.
Fans of the couple were stoked. “Wow, to announce this right before the Saints game, this is big,” John Coleman said. “They’re going robe playing for something too now.”
Michael Penix Jr., Wife Olivia Expecting Child
Olivia, visibly pregnant, wears a flowing white off-the-shoulder dress. Penix stands behind her in a white T-shirt, arms wrapped around her as both rest their hands on her belly. The setting features arched glass doors, light walls, and wood floors. Comments under the post are filled with congratulations and well-wishes.
The announcement arrives only months after the couple’s wedding. They married on May 2, 2026, at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort outside Atlanta in a ceremony attended by several Falcons teammates, including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. Olivia shared wedding photos and video in the following weeks, captioning one post “till death do us part.”
Olivia (née Carter) grew up in Kent, Washington, and played Division I soccer at the University of Nevada. She and Penix met while he was the quarterback at the University of Washington; their relationship became public in late 2023. They announced their engagement on December 29, 2024. Penix, selected eighth overall by the Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft, spent much of the 2025 season recovering from an ACL injury before returning to the field in 2026.
The Reel marks the latest public milestone for the couple, who have documented their engagement, wedding, and now the start of parenthood largely through Olivia’s social media. No due date or further details have been shared.
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When the Atlanta Falcons play football, the city’s bars and taverns come alive. They’re watching the game — and enjoying food and drink.
If you can’t get a ticket, there are many ways to watch the Falcons play on TV. But if you want to enjoy it with fans, your local Atlanta bar has want you need.
In this article, we’ll show you the top bars to watch the Falcons play.
Watch The Falcons At These Atlanta Bars
Before you go to the bar, make sure you have a designated driver on the way home! Uber and Lyft are great for that. Also, remember to get to the bar early so that you can get a good seat!
Margaritaville
155 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Photo credit: AtlantaFi.com Officially called the Margaritaville Hotel Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park, this spot is great to watch the games.
Fado Irish Pub
933 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (404) 260-7910
Fado Irish Pub is place to be to watch the game and down a Guinness pint at the same time. The Midtown location as well as one at The Shops at Buckhead.
Dantanna’s
3400 Around Lenox Rd #304, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 760-8873
Dantanna’s restaurant features an upscale spot to watch the game and enjoy some top-notch food. Dantanna’s has an exetensive menu with spirited drinks and a rowdy atmosphere — perfect for watching the games!
STATS Brewpub
300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, (404) 885-1472
The go-to sports bar in downtown Atlanta, STATS is a short walk from the Omni, CNN Center and College Football Hall of Fame. Inside the brewpub, customers can try their hand at tabletop beer taps and exquisite food with screens all around to watch the NFL playoffs.One Google reviewer says: “This place was incredible! Service was excellent, food was amazing! There were so many delicious looking things on the menu that my waitress had to help me out with a recommendation. I’m glad I listened to her, the BBQ Brisket Burger was out of this world. The fries were really good too. And then she talked me into getting the key lime pie, it was every bit as good as everything else was. I will definitely go back whenever I’m in Atlanta again.”Hooters in Downtown Atlanta
209 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, Ga 30303
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Hooters is especially designed for big sports games. Because of its high-profile location, this downtown Atlanta Hooters regularly gets Atlanta fans as well as that of the opposing teams.El Super Pan at The Battery
455 Legends Place, Atlanta, GA 30339
El Super Pan at The Battery is the perfect place to enjoy some Cuban-inspired dishes while watching your #1 sports team.Here’s why one Google reviewer says it’s the best sports bar in Atlanta: “The flavor in each dish, AMAZING! The agua tropical is refreshing and they always have a different variety based upon the season. Try them all! The decor is vibrant and the music uplifts your spirit. The staff here are awesome and Chef Hector is very engaging. He usually makes great recommendations in case you find yourself unsure of what to order. This restaurant is def my fav!”Dugan’s Restaurant
777 Ponce De Leon A++ve NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Dugan’s has been a reliable go-to spot in Midtown Atlanta about as long as its nearby neighbor, the Clermont Lounge. Lively entertainment, a constant dancefloor and all the chicken wings and beer you could want make this place a great sports bar.Here’s why this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta: “Great dive bar complete with sassy bartender, interesting cast of characters at the bar and great wings. The wings have subtle differences from traditional wing sauces like Anchor Bar sauce. The drinks are poured strong. Their wings are better than their tenders. (They have a tendency to overcook). It’s a great respite for lunch compared to the chaos of Ponce City Market.”The U Bar
3515 Camp Creek Pkwy #50-70, East Point, GA 30344, (404) 349-2301The premiere sports bar at Camp Creek, the U Bar features cool music, wings specials in a club environment that is packed on the weekends.One Google reviewer says: “Pretty lit. Moreso a place to socialize, eat and watch games. Music was good . You can dance but Its not a club. Hoped this helped. Oh and 10 for women 20 for me. I heard they have good wings.”Popular party spot with sports, DJs & dancing, with drink specials & a full menu for dining.The Tavern
3560 Camp Creek Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30344, (404) 349-9285
The Tavern, known as Camp Creek’s OTHER sports bar, has events almost every weekday night, including karaoke, drink specials and more.One Google reviewer says: “The lemon pepper and hot mixed wings are AMAZING. I also enjoy their karaoke nights which are live and many patrons participate so it makes me feel okay because I can’t sing to save my life. I’d definitely recommend checking them out on Wednesday night and enjoy the atmosphere.”Hudson Grille
942 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (404) 892-0892
Hudson Grille has three locations in Atlanta, one downtown, one in Midtown and the other one in Brookhaven. Huge TV screens at every turn and good food make this one of the best Atlanta sports bars to enjoy the game.One Google reviewer says: “Food is always great along with service and overall atmosphere. I personally come here frequently during football season because it is home to Raven Nation South, located in the upstairs area of the bar. I love the sports atmosphere that Hudson Grill provides.”Yard House
261 19th St NW #1100, Atlanta, GA (404) 815-8990
Thanks to an awesome Midtown location (there’s another one at The Battery next to SunTrust Park) and above-average beverage program, Yard House at Atlantic Station has a devoted following among sports fans. The stylish sports bar’s patio is a great people-watching spot and the burgers, steaks and tacos on the menu make this place a must-visit to watch the NFL playoffs.One Google reviewer explains why this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta: “Happening place with excellent food! You just can’t go wrong with Yard House. We visit Atlanta every year at Christmas time, and Yard House has become a family tradition. The menu is extensive and everything we’ve tried has been delicious! They have an excellent Happy Hour … that includes a HUGE selection of 1/2 price appetizers. I think we have literally ordered everything on the happy hour menu! You can’t beat the price!”
Topgolf
1600 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 475-4000
Topgolf caters not to the golf fan so much, but the sports fan. With flat-screen TVs at every station, you can swing clubs or sit back and enjoy your game when you want it. Inside at the bar, you can see multiple screens from several vantage points while you eat and drink.Here’s why one Google reviewer says this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta:: “This is a really fun place for all age groups. If golf is not your thing, they also offer table tennis or ping pong upstairs and pool tables downstairs. The putting area is spacious. Of course it is outdoors, but they offer large heat lamps directly over the seating area. There are two levels to the seating area. The first is a high bar with chairs. The second is a u-shaped outdoor sofa with a center table. All food and drink orders can be placed from your bay. For each game, each player gets 20 chances to “put the ball in the hole”. You can take all 20 swings in a row or rotate players as you’d like. If you aren’t interested in playing any of the game options, you can also dine in or have a round at the bar. Enjoy!”
Taco Mac
933 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (678) 904-7211
With eight locations in Atlanta, including in Midtown on Peachtree and in Dunwoody, Taco Mac is a sports fan’s favorite place to watch the NBA playoffs or any sports event. Featuring the most expansive beer menu of any Atlanta sports bar, Taco Mac is the perfect place to enjoy a craft beer, malt, ale or IPA with your buffalo wings.One Google reviewer says: “Fast and delicious food. Live music on Friday night. Very personable servers. Really great fajitas. They are very open to accommodate changes to menu. One of my favorite places to eat.”Final Word
The Falcons have once again fielded a championship-level team capable of running through the NFC. Although Mercedes-Benz Stadium is nice and all, you’re more interested in the best bars to watch Falcons football in Atlanta.
If that’s the case, we hope you liked our roundup of some great watering holes as well as bars, taverns and food halls where you can watch the Atlanta Falcons rip through the likes of the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots.
Keep up with the latest game info on our Sports Page
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Michael Penix Jr. named his personal favorite quarterbacks of all time. Two years later, the internet still cannot slander it.
On Friday night, B/R Gridiron resurfaced a 2024 clip of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. listing his top five favorite QBs. Detroit account Lil Woadie (@iHateYeahTeriq) quote-tweeted it with a four-word concession that immediately took off: “LMFAO my bad bro you slander proof.”
Michael Penix Jr. Names His Top Quarterbacks
The question in the original video was specific: personal favorite five quarterbacks of all time. Penix did not hesitate.
His list: Michael Vick, Teddy Bridgewater, Patrick Mahomes, Warren Moon, and Lamar Jackson.
That is not a Mount Rushmore of the position. It is something more interesting.
Why the list hits different
Penix grew up in Tampa watching Vick rewrite what a quarterback could look like in Atlanta. Vick was the first elite dual-threat star of the modern era, a left-handed cultural icon who made defenders miss in space the way few pocket passers ever have. For a young lefty who later ended up in the same city, the connection is obvious.
Mahomes and Lamar Jackson need little explanation. One is the best player of this generation. The other is the best dual-threat quarterback alive. Both belong on almost any “players I loved watching” list from someone Penix’s age.
Warren Moon is the history pick. Moon was a pioneer — a Black quarterback who dominated in the CFL before proving himself in the NFL, Hall of Famer, cannon arm, and one of the players who expanded what was possible at the position.
Then there is Teddy Bridgewater.
That is the name that makes people pause, laugh, and then decide they cannot actually roast it.
Bridgewater was a first-round pick out of Louisville, a high-school legend in Florida (Penix’s home state), and a player whose career was defined as much by resilience as production. He survived a gruesome 2016 knee injury, bounced around as a high-floor starter and backup, and became known as “Teddy Two Gloves.” He was never a superstar. He was a guy a lot of people rooted for. Putting him next to Vick, Mahomes, Moon, and Lamar is the kind of personal, regional, slightly unhinged choice that feels more honest than another recycled Brady-Montana-Manning ranking.
Replies to the viral post immediately zeroed in on it. “Teddy Two Gloves mentioned.” “You ight Penix.” The joke writes itself, and then it stops being a joke.
“Slander proof” is the point
Sports Twitter loves roasting bad lists. This one is hard to roast because Penix never claimed these were the five greatest quarterbacks who ever lived. He said they were his favorites. That distinction matters.
A greatest-of-all-time list invites arguments about rings, passer rating, era adjustments, and whether you value peak or longevity. A personal list invites questions about who you actually watched, who you wanted to play like, and who felt like they belonged to you. Penix’s answers track with a left-handed kid from Florida who grew up on Vick, admired another Florida product in Bridgewater, and then watched Mahomes and Lamar take over the league.
The 2024 comments section already had the usual complaints: no Brady, too many Black quarterbacks, Teddy does not belong. The 2026 reaction is different. People saw the same clip and mostly shrugged, then laughed, then admitted the list has a kind of integrity. You can disagree with it. You cannot really dunk on it without looking like you missed the assignment.
That is what “slander proof” means here. The take is so specific to the person that attacking it just reveals you wanted a different conversation.
The timing is not accidental
The clip first dropped in May 2024, right after the Falcons drafted Penix eighth overall. B/R Gridiron recirculated it in late September 2026, during a season in which Penix is still fighting for the job in Atlanta after injuries and a competition with Tua Tagovailoa. He had just played in a win over Green Bay. The old interview suddenly felt like a reminder of who he is when he is not being evaluated snap-to-snap.17
Penix has never been a conventional prospect. Left-handed. Injury history. Drafted over the objections of people who wanted the team to stay with Kirk Cousins. His favorite-QB list fits the same pattern: not optimized for approval, just his.
Most quarterbacks give safe answers in these interviews. Penix gave Vick, Teddy Two Gloves, Mahomes, Moon, and Lamar, in that order, with no hedging. Two years later the internet is still watching the clip and deciding it cannot be slandered.
Sometimes the most interesting list is the one that was never trying to win the argument.
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Michael Penix Jr. waited nearly 10 months to get back on an NFL field. On Thursday night in Green Bay, the wait ended with a statement.
Making his first start since tearing his left ACL in Week 11 last season, Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Atlanta Falcons rolled to a 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The win was Atlanta’s first of the season and a sharp contrast to the offense’s struggles in the first two weeks.
Penix Returns From ACL Rehab, Beats Packers
Penix was not ready for the preseason finale in August. Teammates recalled him becoming emotional in the locker room because he knew his body still needed more time. On Thursday, that patience paid off. After an interception on the opening series, he settled in quickly. Over the second and third quarters he went 13-of-15 with a touchdown and converted all five third-down attempts. His scoring pass was a 5-yard toss to tight end Austin Hooper just before halftime.
Drake London was the primary beneficiary, catching nine passes for a career-high 194 yards. Bijan Robinson added 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. The combination of Penix’s accuracy, London’s production and Robinson’s workload produced the kind of balanced attack the Falcons lacked while Penix recovered.
Atlanta entered the game 0-2 after scoring just 16 points combined in its first two contests. Tua Tagovailoa was slated to start Week 1 but suffered an oblique injury days before the opener; Cooper Rush then dealt with back spasms. The result was an anemic offense that failed to take a red-zone snap for 27 consecutive series to start the season. That drought ended Thursday.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski praised the work Penix put in behind the scenes—extra weight-room sessions, treatments, and field work with only trainers present. Teammates described him as eager to return and important to the locker room. Penix himself pointed to finding a rhythm after the early interception and said the group still has plenty to clean up on film.
The Falcons remain a work in progress at 1-2, but the quarterback who spent the offseason rehabbing an ACL is now back under center. For one night in Green Bay, that was enough to revive the attack.
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The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback for Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers, marking his 2026 season debut after a long recovery from a torn ACL.
The announcement came Monday, September 21, after Atlanta dropped to 0-2 with a 34-3 home loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons are the only team in the NFL that has not reached the red zone through two weeks, a symptom of turnovers and inconsistent passing play. And the 2026 schedule is about to get tougher.
Cooper Rush started both games and struggled badly against Carolina (10-of-17 for 86 yards, two interceptions, and a lost fumble) before being replaced by undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
Michael Penix Jr. to Return for Thursday Night Football
Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 draft, last started in Week 11 of 2025 before tearing his left ACL against the same Panthers team. He missed the final seven games after surgery and has been cautious in his return—this is his third major knee injury. He was cleared for 11-on-11 work late in training camp and has been a full participant in recent practices. Last week he said he was “close” and wanted to hit a few remaining technical goals before playing. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and the medical staff have now determined he is ready.
Tua Tagovailoa, signed in the offseason to compete for the job, has been dealing with an oblique injury and has not practiced since before Week 1. He is expected to be available as Penix’s backup. Rush could be inactive.
Penix’s career numbers through 12 starts: 2,757 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. In 2025 he started nine games (3-6 record) and completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine TDs, and three INTs before the injury. His low interception rate that year ranked among the league’s best. He will now operate new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ scheme with first-round weapons Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts all healthy for the first time this season.
The game is Thursday, September 24, at 8:15 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field and will air on Amazon Prime Video. Green Bay is a 7-point favorite. For a Falcons offense that has scored just 16 points in two games, Penix’s arm talent and mobility represent the clearest chance to generate explosive plays and finally reach the red zone. Whether the short week and limited live reps after a long layoff allow him to produce immediately remains the central question.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. addressed the media Wednesday and pushed back on comparisons to Patrick Mahomes’ quicker return from an ACL tear, saying the two recoveries are not the same.
“Not all injuries are the same,” Penix said. “He didn’t get the same procedure as me. … I got more done to my knee than he got.”
Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. Speaks Out About Injury
The comments came as Penix continues working his way back from the ACL reconstruction he underwent last November after a Week 11 injury against the Carolina Panthers. It was the third ACL surgery of his career after two reconstructions on the other knee in college. Because both of his patellar tendons had already been used as grafts, surgeons used a quadriceps tendon graft for the latest repair and also performed a lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) procedure for added stability.
Mahomes returned for Kansas City’s season opener roughly nine months after his own ACL tear. Penix, now about 10 months removed from surgery, has practiced but has not yet taken the field in a game. He was inactive for Atlanta’s 20-13 Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Penix made clear he wants to play. He described himself as “dying to be out there” and said the remaining steps are physical, not mental.
“Mentally, I want to go play, but I am not going to go out there if I’m not where I need to be physically,” he said. “It’s not really a mental thing. … Physically I need to hit a couple more goals. And I’m really close.”
He added that he has the final say on readiness because only he knows how his body feels. He did not rule out playing Sunday in the Falcons’ home opener against the Panthers, saying a Week 2 return was still realistic and that he felt good in Wednesday’s practice, where he split first-team reps with Cooper Rush.
“There’s no number on it. No Week 3, Week 4. Whenever my knee feels good, I’m going to be out there,” Penix said.
The Falcons’ quarterback picture remains unsettled. Tua Tagovailoa missed Wednesday’s practice with an oblique issue, and Rush has been dealing with back spasms after a rough Week 1 start. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has not named a starter for Sunday.
Penix’s explanation underscored a point often lost in timeline comparisons: not every ACL reconstruction is identical. After two previous surgeries, he no longer had the same graft options available, and the additional lateral work made the latest procedure more extensive than a first-time reconstruction. He noted that after his first ACL surgery in 2018 he returned in six months — a reminder that this recovery is different by design.
For now, Penix says he is close. Whether “close” means Sunday against Carolina will be decided by how his knee responds over the next few days.
