QB Michael Penix Jr. setting ambitious goals for Falcons offense

The Atlanta Falcons aim to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. Much of that hinges on second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. elevating the offense. 

The eighth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft seems confident he will. At training camp Thursday, Penix set a high bar for the team's offense heading into this season.

"We should be the best in the league with the guys we've got around us," Penix said, via Charles Odum of the Associated Press. "We should be unstoppable. So that's our goal. We want to be No. 1 in all categories." 

The Falcons offense features talented skill players, including running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. The RB ran for the league's third-most rushing yards last season (1,456 in 17 games). The WR, meanwhile, ranked fourth in the league in receiving yards (1,271 in 17 games).

The Falcons offense still failed to emerge as one of the top units in the NFL, tying for 13th in the league in scoring (22.9).

The struggles likely stemmed from QB play. Falcons QB Kirk Cousins floundered while battling right shoulder and right elbow injuries last season. The 36-year-old passer tossed a career-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts before being benched in favor of Penix.

Will plugging in Penix solve the issues? Time will tell, but starting three games last season gave the QB needed experience. 

"So Week 1 this year won't be the first time I'm on the field with the starters in a game-time situation," Penix said. "I feel like that was good as well. So the guys around me as well know what they're going to get out of me."

What the Falcons are getting out of Penix remains uncertain. In the three starts last season, he tossed the same number of interceptions and touchdown passes (three).