For a city that’s felt the sting of playoff absence since 2017, the promise of a new quarterback isn’t just about arm talent; it’s about redemption. The Falcons , a team that finished sixth in yards per game last year with a hobbled Kirk Cousins , are now placing their faith in the left arm of Michael Penix Jr. The hope is that Penix Jr achieves the one thing that ultimately eluded the veteran: a complete, explosive, and most importantly, successful season that ends the drought.

The demand from the Falcons’ brass to Penix is clear : elevate this offense from statistically respectable to legitimately dominant. Analytics give the Falcons a 38.2 percent chance to make the postseason, a bet placed squarely on the offense’s shoulders. As The Athletic’s Josh Kendall notes, if the F

See Full Page