The biggest mystery from Week 2 of the 2024 preseason unfolds like a telenovela—why on Earth did the Atlanta Falcons bench their rookie sensation, Michael Penix Jr., in Saturday’s thrilling showdown against the Baltimore Ravens? You could almost hear the collective gasp from Falcons fans everywhere!
In a surprising twist, Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris offered a cryptic clue post-game: “We’ve seen enough from him.” The million-dollar question on everyone’s mind is, enough for what?
The Kirk Cousins Conundrum
Kirk Cousins, who just celebrated his 36th birthday with a cake and probably some Gatorade, is slated to be the Falcons’ main man under center for the next one, two, maybe three years. The only rub? Penix’s golden chance to prove his mettle would naturally be the preseason’s spotlight, as his regular season reps could be scarcer than a snowstorm in Lima.
Speculation Swirls
PFT Live added fuel to the fire on Monday with Chris Simms positing a thought-provoking theory: Could the Falcons be secretly nursing concerns about Cousins’ readiness for Week 1? If so, Penix would need to be fresh and untouched, ready to leap into action like a cougar on a mountain cliff.
Then there was the alarming injury of J.J. McCarthy, which could have sent shockwaves through the Falcons’ decision-making corridors. Perhaps they wanted to sidestep a frenzy from fans, media, or even owner Arthur Blank, who might clamor for Penix to step up immediately.
Or—and humor me here—they might have already made the bold, cavalier decision to start Penix come Week 1! Sounds batty, right? But hey, what’s a bit more zaniness after spending the eighth overall pick on a quarterback post-Cousins’ $100 million guaranteed bounty?
The Enigma of Penix
Putting it plainly, if Penix isn’t going to see action during the regular season, depriving him of preseason snaps is as absurd as a sloth running a 40-yard dash. But then again, this very peculiarity hints that maybe, just maybe, he will get his moment under the spotlights sooner than we think.
The Falcons’ play-calling machinations and roster dance moves might seem perplexing, but that’s what makes our beloved NFL an entrancing opera of triumphs, tragedies, and total jaw-droppers. So buckle up, folks. This season, like a well-drawn Hail Mary, is shaping up to be a breath-stealer!
