The Atlanta Falcons could face a locker room problem alongside their 3-6 record. QB Michael Penix Jr. was recently asked by reporters whether he had anybody he could turn to for advice. The second-year shot caller gave a shocking answer, stating that he had “quarterback coaches back at home that reach out.” Recently, the Falcons’ QB coach addressed this.

“I joke with the quarterback room, I’m like, ‘Bro, I see y’all more than I see my kids.’ So, if we don’t have some vulnerable conversations and you can’t be sensitive, I can’t be sensitive,” DJ Williams said, according to Falcons ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi. “We’ve got to talk every single day. So all those guys, we talk every single day, you know what I mean? Probably more than I talk to a lot of people,”

Responding to these comments, QB coach Williams made sure that Penix Jr.’s claims were clarified. He revealed that he was open to his players taking the initiative and approaching the coaching staff. But with such comments coming from their young QB, the Falcons’ decision to go all in on the University of Washington shot-caller is turning against them.

General manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris took a massive gamble on Michael Penix Jr. after drafting him No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft. This decision was also baffling, as the franchise had just completed the signing of veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a $100 million guaranteed contract.

How has Michael Penix Jr. performed for Atlanta?

With the hopes of Fontenot and Morris pinned on the youngster, Michael Penix Jr. has failed to live up to the hype so far in his nascent NFL career. The 25-year-old was slated to be red-shirted through his first season and learn from Kirk Cousins. But with the former Minnesota Vikings shot-caller struggling, Penix was called on.

In his three starts, Penix showed flashes of promise. Penix Jr. completed 58.1% of his passes for 775 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 78.9. But this potential hasn’t led to growth, with the QB dealing with various issues, like his accuracy.

So far in the 2025-26 season, Penix has completed 58.8% of his passes for 1,807 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Further, he sits at 19th in the league with a 53.4 QBR through Week 10.

Hence, with the Falcons gearing up to host the Carolina Panthers, Michael Penix Jr. has the opportunity to right these wrongs and utilise his weapons like RB Bijan Robertson and WR Drake London to the fullest. Further, this is also an opportunity to exact revenge after the Panthers demolished Atlanta 30-0 in Week 3.