In an ideal world, your favorite NFL team would only start one quarterback for every single game during the season. The Atlanta Falcons had that going for them from 2008-2021, with only the occasional rare game off for their QB1. However, they have found exactly zero consistency in the post-Matt Ryan era at this position.
Heading into the 2026 season, the Falcons could conceivably see three quarterbacks starting in a game this year - possibly even four if injuries become a factor. The fact that they're carrying four QBs into Week 1 says everything you need to know about that unit.
Undrafted rookie Jack Strand seems to be a pleasant surprise, but that's where the good vibes end. Cooper Rush is a career backup and 32 years old to boot, Tua Tagovailoa
couldn't secure the QB1 job even though he had no competition over the summer, and Michael Penix Jr. needs to show a dramatic improvement the next time he takes the field if the Falcons are going to invest any more time or resources into him.
As is appropriate, Penix has been named to ESPN's list of the players, coaches and GMs under the most pressure this season. He's part of the class of 2024 that may or may not get their fifth-year options picked up.
"Penix posted a 57.9 Total QBR in his nine games as a starter in 2025, although the quarterback's year ended with the third torn ACL of his career."
Penix's biggest problem is that he's simply wildly off target far too often for a starter at this level. According to ESPN he was inaccurate on nearly 26% of his throws last season - and when Penix misses he really misses. Penix was lucky he did not throw twice as many interceptions as he did in 2025.
If Penix can greatly boost his accuracy and show genuine development going through his progressions, then it'll be worth the Falcons picking up that option to see how much he can grow over the next couple of seasons.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN lists Falcons QB among players under most pressure in 2026
