Washington legend Michael Penix Jr. compares himself to Lamar Jackson over Madden rating

When it comes to speed, Michael Penix Jr. says only one quarterback can top him when he’s running in the open field.

The former Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. puts Madden on notice with bold speed claiming that he likes himself over almost every quarterback in the league except one. 

Penix didn’t hesitate when asked which quarterback is faster than him in the NFL.

"Lamar," he said. "I think it's just Lamar."

The former Washington star and Falcons quarterback made the statement during a Madden 26 interview. When pressed about where he stacks up among the league’s fastest quarterbacks, Penix kept it simple. He sees himself as second only to Lamar Jackson.

It is a bold claim, especially for a player who built his college reputation more on precision passing than pure speed. But those who watched Penix at Indiana know better. He was mobile in the pocket, extended plays with ease and made defenses pay when they lost track of him. That same explosiveness has already turned heads in Falcons training camp.

Speed ratings in Madden are a hot topic every year, and Penix is not the first to question how the game rates athleticism. Receiving a 84 when it comes to his speed rating in this year's edition of the game. While he did not run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, he clearly believes his game speed deserves more respect. And with Lamar Jackson being the only name he mentioned, Penix is setting a high bar.

Penix who ran a sub 4.6 at his Pro day is something that should be marveled at for a player that tore his ACL twice during his collegiate career.

The Falcons coaching staff has already backed Penix as the quarterback of the future. Now he is making it clear that his legs are just as dangerous as his arm making him a complete dual threat.  Whether the Madden team agrees is one thing. Whether defenses do is another.

Penix is not just trying to prove something on Sundays. He is building a case on every platform he touches. And if his confidence translates to wins, this might be just the beginning of the conversation.