While new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t commit to a Week 1 return timeline for Michael Penix Jr., the quarterback himself has a much clearer timeline for his return from a season-ending ACL tear. In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports reporter Ryan Ward, Penix offered a far more definitive and confident answer, one that should put the Atlanta Falcons fans at ease about their starting quarterback’s availability for the season opener.

“For sure,” Penix said when Ward asked whether he’d return before the Week 1 matchup. “I feel like I’m going to be back, I’ll be ready to play. I feel like I’m ahead of schedule right now and taking it one day at a time.”

Penix entered the 2025 campaign as Atlanta’s starter, beating out Kirk Cousins, and went on to start nine games. In the process, he recorded 1982 yards at a completion rate of 60.1 and scored 9 touchdowns. But in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, his season came to a sudden halt when he tore the ACL in his left knee while taking a sack late in the third quarter on November 16.

The injury carried extra weight, given his previous injury complications. Penix previously suffered two ACL tears, both in his right knee, in 2018 and 2020 during his time at Indiana. Both injuries ended his season early. That context makes any ACL setback more concerning, even when it’s on the opposite knee. Still, all signs point toward a recovery that’s trending better than expected.

ACL rehab typically takes nine to twelve months, and Penix is already tracking well within that window. Given that the injury occurred in mid-November, that timeline puts Penix in a realistic position to be available for the 2026 season opener. Falcons owner Arthur Blank confirmed earlier this month that the surgery Penix underwent roughly a week after the injury was a success.

“The surgeon felt 1,000 percent secure in the medical procedure they went through, and they really felt his knee was going to be even better than it was before,” Blank said. “He’s on a successful rehab program. He’s back in Atlanta. He’s committed mentally and physically. He feels good.”

From the team’s perspective, his recovery carries importance this year. Atlanta is in the middle of a reset. The Falcons have moved on from head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, replacing them with Stefanski and GM Ian Cunningham. Any delay in Penix’s recovery could complicate offseason planning at quarterback, especially with Penix and Cousins currently the only two quarterbacks on the roster.

For now, though, Penix feels ahead of schedule, the medical outlook is encouraging, and the Falcons can at least begin the offseason assuming their quarterback plan remains intact, especially given that Stefanski has been optimistic about the third-year quarterback’s future in Atlanta.

Kevin Stefanski praised Michael Penix Jr. in his introductory pressers

Kevin Stefanski is familiar with the situation he’s walking into as the Falcons’ new HC, especially when it comes to quarterback decisions. His last stint with the Cleveland Browns showed just how complicated that position can become, particularly in 2025, when quarterback development never truly stabilized.

Now in Atlanta, Stefanski inherits a much narrower room with just two QBs, at least for now. One is a familiar face in Kirk Cousins. The other is the franchise’s long-term bet, Michael Penix Jr. During his introductory press conference, the HC made it clear where he stands on Penix, and his evaluation leaned heavily toward optimism.

“Michael, just excited about the physical gifts,” Stefanski said. “You see a player on tape that can get through progressions, can layer the ball, can push the ball to all areas of the field. Obviously, was very productive in college, has had some really, really, really good moments here in the pros. So I just see a young player that will continue to develop and continue to get better.”

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That optimism matters because the quarterback room will be one of Stefanski’s biggest variables heading into 2026. When Penix went down last season, Cousins stepped in and quietly did his job. The veteran started eight games in 2025, throwing for 1,721 yards with a 61.7% completion rate and 10 touchdowns. Atlanta didn’t make the playoffs, but Cousins gave the offense stability when it needed it.

What happens next depends almost entirely on Penix’s recovery. The quarterback has already voiced confidence about being ready for Week 1. Still, that decision won’t be his alone. Ultimately, the medical staff will have the final say on his availability. And if Penix isn’t cleared in time, Stefanski has a familiar fallback option. Cousins would likely get the Week 1 start, at least early in the season. For now, it’s a waiting game.