"Football isn't my identity": Michael Penix Jr. makes shocking comment amid Falcons' struggles

Michael Penix Jr.'s Atlanta Falcons are third place in the NFC South and are on a four-game losing streak heading into Week 11. They have suffered defeats in what many considered as winnable games.

The quarterback led the Falcons to an 8-9 record last season; however, the team is unlikely to surpass that this year. He addressed the media on Wednesday and shared his mentality as Atlanta continues to struggle.

"At the end of the day, football isn't my identity," Penix said. "I'm a son of God. That's what I believe in, and I just walk by faith and not by sight and not by what other people are saying. So I just continue to go about my day each and every say just like that."

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The Falcons selected Penix at No. 8 last year, just six weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year $180 million deal. He watched from the sidelines as Cousins led the team to a promising 6-3 start before a midseason collapse. It included nine interceptions across five games with just one touchdown pass.

Penix replaced him in Week 16 and secured a 1-2 record with a 58% completion rate. Atlanta named Penix its starter heading into this season while keeping Cousins as the highest-paid backup in NFL history. He has recorded 153 completions on 260 attempts (58.8%), 1,807 passing yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions through Week 10.

Despite Penix's effort, the Falcons (3-6) are not expected to reach the postseason for the eighth consecutive year

What's next for Michael Penix Jr.'s Falcons?

Multiple playoff projection models suggest that winning all their remaining seven games won't be enough for Michael Penix Jr.'s Atlanta Falcons to make the postseason.

They have a challenging schedule ahead. The Falcons' remaining slate begins with a matchup against the Carolina Panthers, followed by the New Orleans Saints. They will be on the road to face the New York Jets the following week.

Up next for Penix and Co. are the Seattle Seahawks, one of the most in-form teams in the league. Their next test will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Arizona Cardinals await after that, before Atlanta faces the LA Rams. The team's final game is against the Saints.

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez