Zac Robinson hints at new Michael Penix Jr. wrinkle in Falcons offense

The Atlanta Falcons are at a crossroads as the 2025 NFL season approaches. Sure, it is only the second year at the helm for head coach Raheem Morris, as well as quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but after Atlanta boldly selected Penix with the 8^th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative deal, mind you – it started the clock for the Falcons to win while Penix remained on a rookie deal.

Of course, the Falcons would be overjoyed if Penix indeed pans out and they’re able to send the Brink’s Truck to his doorstep in a couple of years. But this year, as Penix is unquestionably QB1 in Atlanta, will be the first real test to see if he’s that guy.

Last year, Penix remained an understudy to Cousins all throughout training camp and well into the regular season, eventually taking over the starting job with just three games remaining. Now the Falcons will have the luxury of an entire offseason of onboarding Penix, getting him comfortable with each of Atlanta’s dynamic playmakers, and adding a few new wrinkles into the offensive attack.

One of those wrinkles, as shared by Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, will be the legs of the deceptively athletic Penix.

“The athleticism part is something that he didn’t use a ton in college, but it’s in there,” Robinson told Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson of the Check the Mic show. “He ran a 4.4 at the Washington pro day, and then even some of his GPS numbers as those guys are just working out, his speed is on par with some of our top receivers.

“So that’s definitely an element that we’re looking to explore in some of the play action passing game, in some of the movement stuff that he can do, really to just open up every part of the field. I know there will be a lot of emphasis on that this offseason, and once we finally hit the ground in training camp is just getting some of those things going.”

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For the most part, Penix has been limited as a runner, but that has largely been due to a pair of torn ACL’s and a serious shoulder injury. Why put such a gifted thrower in harm’s way if it’s not necessary?

Well, based on what Zac Robinson is saying, it may be necessary to at least tap into Penix’s athletic gifts from time to time in order to maximize his potential, and justify selecting him with the 8^th overall pick.

Don’t expect Michael Penix to emerge from the 2025 season looking like the second coming of Michael Vick in Atlanta. But don’t be surprised if his wheels play a significant role in Atlanta’s passing attack.