FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. and Bryce Young could very well be the future of the NFC South, or at least many I-85 rivalry games to come between the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
Both quarterbacks are on their rookie contracts. Young was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, while Penix went No. 8 in 2024. Young is 24 years old. Penix is 25.
There is a lot of potential in these two players. Whether that potential turns into longevity, only time will tell. They have faced off once before — a memorable shootout in Week 18 last year — and are scheduled to meet again Sunday for a Week 3 contest at Bank of America Stadium.
"Bryce is over there for a reason," Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said. "He struggled a little bit last year — I think my guy, Andy Dalton, came in — and then he played really well in the second half of the season and proved to himself that he can be a starter, be that franchise quarterback. Then, I have no worries about our guy over here. So, yeah, I think those guys will be head of their franchises, for sure, but I think our guy is much better."
Neither Young nor Penix played in the first Falcons-Panthers game last season in Week 6. Young had indeed been benched in favor of Dalton, and Penix was backup to veteran Kirk Cousins. Atlanta won, 38-20, in Carolina.
Young was plugged back into his starting role in Week 8 after Dalton sprained the thumb on his right throwing hand in a car accident. Penix took over as the starter in Week 16 after performance issues led the Falcons to sideline Cousins.
Early in each of their respective careers, Young and Penix were dealt unorthodox hands in very different ways. Young had a setback prior to making a comeback, whereas Penix sat before his breakout. Each took mental strength.
"Just not forgetting who you are," Penix said. "I feel like whenever you're in those tough moments, sometimes you try to critique things and look at yourself as if you're doing things wrong. You never know. I always feel like the film is never as bad as you think, and it's never as good as you think. So, just taking everything with a grain of salt, but also giving yourself some type of grace."
Once he was given a second chance, Young completed 61% of his passes for an average of 210.4 yards per game in 10 starts. He threw 15 touchdowns vs. six interceptions. In his three starts, Penix completed 58% of his passes for an average of 245.7 yards per game. He threw an equal three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Their seasons concluded against each other in Atlanta for a Week 18 potential division-deciding finale. The Panthers ultimately beat the Falcons, 44-38, in overtime, but the four-plus quarters of work showed how this matchup could escalate with Young and Penix at the helm.
Penix connected on 21 of his 38 passes for 312 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted and sacked once. Penix also displayed his escapability while running for a score himself. Young completed 25 of his 34 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He scored another two by foot, too.
"We're just balling," Penix said postgame on Jan. 5. "We're playing football. They score, we feel like we've got to capitalize. We score, they probably feel the same way. That's part of the game. You've got to make big time plays when it's required. That's what this team was able to do, and they were able to do it as well. It's just always going to be a big-time game. Every time we play them, divisional game, it's always big time.
"In the future, we look forward to winning — every time."
Both teams had an offseason makeover, specifically with their defenses. Compared to last season's Week 18 starting lineups, the Falcons return just four starters. The Panthers have five. More than half of their lineups, those who will be across the line of scrimmage from Penix and Young, feature new faces.
"Very different," Bates said. "I think the last game of the season was not a definition of what this defense wants to look like. Last time they came in here, they scored a lot of point, and us as a defense now, I think we're much improved, much more polished than last year, for sure."
Last season, of course, the Falcons and Panthers split their series. That has been the norm as of late. Neither team has swept the other since Atlanta did so in 2019.
The Falcons enter Sunday's game with a 1-1 overall record and 0-1 division record. The Panthers are 0-2 and have yet to play another NFC South team.
"Obviously, you're not supposed to like the Panthers, and we don't," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "That's easy. It doesn't matter what week it was or what happened."
Take a look at our best shots from week three practice ahead of the Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, presented by Gatorade.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade Bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade Bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Divine Deablo #0 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade Bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons sports medicine staff during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus #54 and Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade Bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Sam Roberts #99 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
