Falcons vs. Packers on ‘Thursday Night Football’: Atlanta’s QB situation, explained
Maybe you looked at the Falcons 0-2 record heading into Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers and wondered who the hell decided subjecting us to the Atlanta Falcons in primetime repeatedly was a great idea. And you’re not wrong. I’ve been on the Falcons’ beat for 14 years now, and while a rocky […]
The Atlanta Falcons entered Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers with a struggling quarterback situation. The team drafted Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 with the eighth overall pick, expecting him to develop into the team's franchise quarterback. However, Penix suffered multiple ACL tears and required surgeries, preventing him from becoming the starter.
The Falcons signed top free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins and placed him as a starter, but Cousins' health issues made him unreliable. Penix became the starter in 2025, but he suffered yet another ACL tear and required reconstructive surgery. By Week 3 of the season, he was medically cleared to play against the Packers. Penix was named the starting quarterback for the game, marking a significant moment in the Falcons' quarterback depth chart saga.
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