The Atlanta Falcons shocked the world by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While Penix was considered a first-round prospect, the Falcons weren't expected to take a QB after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
It was an ambitious move by former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and former general manager Terry Fontenot, but it seemed to create more division than anything. Penix sat most of his rookie season and took over as the starter in 2025.
The former top-10 pick missed the second half of his sophomore campaign due to a torn ACL. After a long recovery, Penix finally returned to the lineup in Week 3 and proved to be worth the wait. In four starts this season, Penix has
passed for 944 yards, six touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 106.
The Falcons fired Morris after the 2025 season, and he later took a job as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator. With Atlanta set to host the 49ers on Sunday, Morris will face his former team for the first time since being dismissed.
Morris was asked to share his thoughts on Penix's overall development. Here's what the 49ers defensive coordinator had to say about his former QB.
"Loved the kid, loved everything about him. The personality, who he was, the thrower... He’s back healthy and he’s probably everything that you thought and hoped for as far as being a play-action passer, a guy that can push the ball down the field, can make all the throws, go through the whole process. Just one of those guys that I have a lot of appreciation for and love for."
Morris was asked if he's noticed any major differences in Penix's play, but said it was mostly a matter of the Falcons quarterback being healthy.
"You know, just him being healthy is the main thing that has been for him. When he has been healthy, he’s had some explosive games, even as a rookie. I can still see him going into the D.C. game and find a way to get us into that game, make us some big-time plays in order for us to go to overtime. And as he started the season last year, had some ups and downs, had some probably more ups than downs, and now you’ve seen him have a couple really big ups since he’s been back and been back in that lineup and changed that team completely. So, it’s been pretty cool to watch."
The Falcons are happy with Penix's performance this season, and if he continues to play well, they won't have to use another first-round pick on a quarterback in 2027.
However, Atlanta has a tough task against Morris' defense in Week 7. Not only are the 49ers are 6-0, but they have a top-five DVOA on both offense and defense this season. We'll see how Penix fares against his former coach this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: What Raheem Morris said about Michael Penix Jr.'s play in 2026
