FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have been blessed in recent years with consistency along the offensive line. The same cannot be said at quarterback.
The two positions, though, need to be in sync for the success of their overall unit.
The quarterback isn't necessarily an extension of the offensive line. But when he moves, so do the five in front. And they need to be able to without looking over their shoulders or turning their bodies around.
"The biggest thing as an offensive lineman is understanding the depth of the pocket and kind of where he's going to be," Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom said. "That only comes with reps. There's a certain feeling you have."
As of right now, four open practices into the 2025 training camp, the Falcons' offensive line is stacking those reps with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who's entering his second season but first as the starter.
The Falcons drafted Penix last year with the No. 8 pick. He took over starting responsibilities as a rookie in Week 16, when veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched due to performance issues. So, although limited, Penix already has the experience of three starts under his belt.
"I remember when he got the Giants start, that first week of practice, even I was like, 'I gotta get used to his cadence. I gotta get comfortable with him,'" Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews said. "Then, by the time the game came around, we were clicking."
In his first start – a win against New York – Penix completed 18 of his 27 passes for 202 yards. He was never sacked, but he did throw an interception on a pass that ricocheted out of Kyle Pitts' hands. The Falcons totaled 127 yards rushing with two scores.
The next two games were back-to-back overtimes losses against the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers. Penix completed 40 of his 73 passes for 535 yards and three touchdowns between the pair of performances. He was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. The Falcons totaled 353 yards rushing with five scores.
Atlanta had the fourth-most rushing yards (480), the seventh-most total yards (1,203) and the eighth-most passing yards (723) during Penix's QB1 run from Weeks 16-18.
"Switching to Mike from Kirk obviously was different," Falcons left guard Matthew Bergeron said. "They're different players. They have a different style. Playing those last three games with Mike kind of showed me what he's able to do, what he likes and also the comms on pass pro and stuff like that."
The comfortability timeline is different for everyone across the line.
Matthews needed that week of practice. Bergeron used those three games as his temperature check. Center Ryan Neuzil wants more reps but doesn't have a "sweet number" in mind. Lindstrom believes training camp is the perfect opportunity to all get on the same page. Right tackle Kaleb McGary thinks it could take months for both parties to effortlessly operate as one play-in and play-out.
The key to that comfortability is learning the quarterback's cadence – what he says before the ball is snapped.
"Every quarterback's cadence is different," Neuzil said. "The way they roll the cadence together. How vocal they are. Everything. ... You just have to get used to it."
They have to really understand it.
"Once you know your quarterback good enough, you can tell just by the change in their voice, like when the snap counts change or like you forgot to say something," McGary said. "Not that that's happened, but shit happens in football. That's the thing you can pick up on."
Preseason is the time to make mistakes. Because come Sept. 7 when the Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for their regular-season opener, Penix won't be protected in a red non-contact jersey like in practice. He'll only be protected by his teammates.
While their chemistry may be a work in progress, Penix already trusts those in front of him.
"They know as long as I stay in that center of the pocket, everything is going to be smooth," Penix said. "Those guys makes sure that pocket is clean for me. ... Those guys block their tails off for me and everybody each and every day, so I truly appreciate it."
Take a look at the best photos taken during the first practice in pads at the 2025 AT&T Training Camp in Flowery Branch.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Morgan Fox #99 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Josh Thompson #45 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods #42 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bralen Trice #48 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver DJ Chark #16 and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Makai Polk #83 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver DJ Chark #16 and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dontae Manning #41during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver DJ Chark #16 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeMarcco Hellams #23 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Joshua Simon #47 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Lenny Krieg #46 and Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion #13 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Kyle Hinton #68 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough #49 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
