'He won’t be after this year' -- Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. makes bold prediction about one of his WRs

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nick Roesch | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 8:29 PM ET

Expectations are high for the Atlanta Falcons' offense in 2025.

After getting his feet wet in 2024, Michael Penix Jr. now gets to go through the entire offseason process as the starting quarterback. The Falcons are banking on him to develop into an elite player and be the face of their franchise for years to come.

Of course, in order for Penix to do that, he'll need some quality weapons to work with. That starts with top wide receiver Drake London, who Atlanta selected eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

While speaking to the media following the first day of Falcons' mandatory minicamp, Penix gave London a strong endorsement when he was asked if London was underappreciated throughout the league, stating "he won't be after this year." (H/T Tori McElhaney).

Michael Penix asked about whether or not he felt Drake London was under appreciated across the league: “He won’t be after this year.”
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) June 10, 2025

If the Falcons click on all cylinders offensively and win a lot of games in 2025, London will definitely get more recognition. He honestly should be already, as he put it all together in 2024 with 100 receptions for 1,271 yard and nine touchdowns. Those totals placed London in the top 10 of all three of those categories. During his first two years, he caught 141 passes for 1,771 yards and six TDs.

In Atlanta' 2024 season finale, Penix and London connected 10 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Hopefully they can carry that momentum into 2025 as the Falcons look to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. Other skill position players such as Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud will play pivotal roles as well.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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