FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — If anyone knows what it's like to be the Atlanta Falcons' franchise quarterback, it's Matt Ryan.

The Falcons drafted Ryan with the No. 3 overall pick in 2008, and he went on to be the Falcons' starter for 14 seasons. Ryan ultimately led Atlanta to six playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl run in 2016. After he retired, the Falcons inducted Ryan into their Ring of Honor because of the player he was on and off the field throughout his tenure.

The expectation is that Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons drafted at No. 8 overall in 2024, will become a franchise player in his own right and provide stability at quarterback. Owner Arthur Blank reiterated as much just last week.

A recent development that could benefit Penix's progress toward that position is the hiring of Ryan as the Falcons' president of football.

"I'm not hired to come in and be the quarterback coach, but I love Mike and have gotten to know him through the last couple of years here in Atlanta," Ryan said. "So, anything he needs from me, I'm a part of this organization and happy to help in any way that I can."

Ryan became a mentor of sorts for Penix last year, after then-Falcons head coach Raheem Morris made it clear Penix would be Atlanta's starting quarterback in 2025. That proclamation came after Penix started the Falcons' final three games of 2024.

Originally, Penix wasn't supposed to start at all as a rookie. Instead, Kirk Cousins was signed as a free agent that offseason to be the Falcons' starter. The plan was for Cousins to lead for at least a season or two, while Penix learned the ropes behind the veteran. However, in Week 16, the Falcons benched Cousins due to performance issues and accelerated Penix's timeline.

Penix went 1-2 in those three starts, completing 58% of his passes for an average of 245.7 yards per game. He threw three interceptions and three touchdowns.

Then, last season, Penix went 3-6 before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the Falcons' Week 11 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. He underwent surgery for a partially torn ACL in late November. Blank said it went well.

"The surgeon felt 1,000% secure in the medical procedure they went through, and they really felt his knee was going to be even better than it was before," Blank said. "He's on a successful rehab program. He's back in Atlanta. He's committed mentally. Physically, he feels good."

Prior to his injury, Penix completed 60.1% of his passes for an average of 220.2 yards per game. He threw three interceptions and nine touchdowns.

"The next thing in front of Mike is the rehab process, and he's already at it," Ryan said. "I was in here (Monday) morning … and he was in there getting after his rehab. So, he's in a good mental space right there and is doing exactly what he should be doing right now."

The NFL's new league year begins on March 11. Clubs that hired a new head coach, including the Falcons, can begin offseason workout programs on April 6. Training camps start in mid-July.

A timeline for Penix's return has not been shared.

"It's working together to figure out the right plan for Mike and his rehab," Ryan said. "And that's going to be our training rooms' job and our doctors' jobs and sports science and in the weight room. Everybody's responsibility to make sure that is going as planned. And that's really as simple as it gets."