Michael Penix Jr. ‘learning how to be a pro’ from Matt Ryan
The Atlanta Falcons believe they have their quarterback of the future in Michael Penix Jr. The former No. 8 overall pick showed enough during his rookie season to earn the keys to the offense going into Year 2.
Despite having veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Falcons had Penix link up with former league MVP Matt Ryan over the offseason. Ryan, who spent 14 years as Atlanta’s starting quarterback, knows what it takes to succeed in this league and how to be a leader.
The Falcons are hoping some of those characteristics rub off on Penix, and it sounds like the second-year QB enjoyed his time speaking with Ryan. Following Day 1 of organized team activities, Penix was asked what he learned in his conversations with Ryan.
“Just learning how to be a pro, each and every day, and how his process went and how he went about his business each and every day,” Penix explained. “I feel like he definitely gave me a lot of good [advice].”
Over 15 NFL seasons (14 in Atlanta), Ryan passed for 62,792 yards, 381 touchdowns and 183 interceptions for a passer rating of 93.6. The former third overall pick’s best season came in 2016 when he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance and took home the league MVP trophy.
Penix was forced to sit behind Cousins for much of his rookie season before taking over the starting job in Week 16. The former Washington Huskies QB passed for 778 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
While Penix needs to improve his completion percentage, his ability to push the ball downfield seemed to open up the offense over the final few weeks. The Falcons quarterback is taking his leadership role seriously. Penix explained that in order to be a good leader, he must build relationships with his teammates.
“I feel like you can’t lead nobody whenever you don’t know them,” Penix said after Friday’s OTA practice. “I feel like you got to build relationships. And for me, I want to get to know those guys so I can know who can take certain leadership styles.”
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