FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For the next five weeks, the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff will be rolling out a summer content series breaking down each individual Falcons' position group as training camp nears.
Up first are the quarterbacks, or better yet, a deep dive into the ongoing saga of Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins on the Falcons 2025 roster.
Here are a handful of articles to get you caught up on this specific tale of two quarterbacks, and where it currently stands:
- Arthur Blank, Raheem Morris confirm conversations with Kirk Cousins on veteran QB's future (April 1, 2025)
- COLUMN: No reason for Falcons to force Kirk Cousins move (May 13, 2025)
- Kirk Cousins in attendance at Falcons mandatory minicamp (June 10, 2025)
- Kirk Cousins spoke to the media — here are 5 things we learned (June 10, 2025)
- Kirk Cousins 'here to support' Michael Penix Jr., Falcons moving forward (June 11, 2025)
Quarterback
Position coaches: Zac Robinson (offensive coordinator) | T.J. Yates (pass game coordinator) | D.J. Williams (quarterbacks coach)
Returning starters: Michael Penix Jr. (three starts in 2024) | Kirk Cousins (14 starts in 2024)
Notable newcomers: Easton Stick (signed with the team in April 2025 after five seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers)
Rest of the roster: Emory Jones (signed to Atlanta practice squad in December 2024; later signed a reserve/futures deal with the organization in January 2025)
Offseason departures: N/A
3 key questions for Falcons quarterbacks
1. How long will Kirk Cousins be on this Falcons roster in 2025?
National and local media will continue to put headlines on Cousins and the Falcons until there is no juice left to squeeze out of the story. This will continue to be the case until its not. As you are likely to very well know, the Falcons have stated time and time again they are comfortable moving forward with Cousins as Penix's backup. They have paid out Cousins' roster bonus, and Cousins has a cap hit of $40 million in 2025. He also has a no-trade clause in his contract, but — as Cousins himself has stated — he's like to play, so a trade could be possible at any turn. The issue is that the quarterback market across the league has settled. Things could change as real action gets underway in the fall. For the time being, however? Cousins is on this roster, and will continue to be until something (or better yet, some team's situation) changes.
2. Now at the helm of the Falcons offensive operation, how impactful will Michael Penix Jr. be in 2025?
The Falcons drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft while having Cousins on the roster as their starter. They claimed conviction in Penix, his talent and makeup from the beginning. Now, they'll hope that conviction pays off. In three starts in 2024, Penix flashed with his arm talent and poise, but showed a need for growth in touch and throws over the middle. What step can Penix take in 2025? Knowing from the onset of the offseason he'd be the one leading the offensive charge? How quickly can he take over and help this offense put points on the board? That's the question on everyone's mind, and the answer has the potential to change the franchise's direction.
3. What will the Falcons offensive identity look like under Penix?
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spent the early days of the 2025 offseason going back and watching old tape of Penix during his Washington days. Robinson also did a lot of study on the three games the Falcons played with Penix in the pocket in 2024. This film study should lend evolution to the offense as it looks to take advantage of Penix's dynamic arm strength and ability to move the pocket when necessary. The word that often comes to mind with Penix as a quarterback is "explosive." In that case, how much explosion could their be to Atlanta's offense in 2025? And how does it evolve from what it was in 2024?
