Reports indicate that Penix told Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski he wasn’t yet at the level he wants to be after returning from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. Penix told Stefanski, “I’m not where I want to be right now.”
Atlanta announced Tagovailoa will start the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Cooper Rush serving as the backup and Penix inactive for Week 1. Despite the setback, Penix believes he is not far off.
Penix explained that his assessment comes after spending the offseason rehabbing his knee and not being cleared for full 11-on-11 practice until late August. He had targeted Week 1 to be ready, but acknowledged that medical clearance and readiness to play at his desired level are not always the same thing.
“I want to be stronger,” Penix said. “I want to be able to be out there and give my team 100%. If I don’t feel I can do that, that’s not fair for this team. It’s not fair for the organization. I want to make sure whenever I am out there, I’m 100%.”
Penix spoke from experience, noting a prior rushed comeback where he didn’t feel confident, didn’t play well, and didn’t look right. That memory reinforces his decision to wait until he’s truly ready to contribute at his best.
This approach helps explain why the Falcons didn’t simply name Penix as Tagovailoa’s direct backup. Stefanski indicated Penix had only participated in six full 11-on-11 practices after clearance. Rather than dressing him for Pittsburgh prematurely, Atlanta opted to keep Rush as the No. 2 quarterback for Week 1.
Looking ahead, Stefanski did not close the door on Penix’s return to the starting competition once he feels fully prepared. The plan emphasizes continued collaboration among Penix, the coaching staff, and the medical team as they monitor his progress.
Penix had previously indicated that his goal was to be mentally and physically ready for Week 1, but his current stance is one of patience. He stressed that his focus isn’t on having a breakthrough season for himself, but on giving the organization his full effort and ensuring that whenever he steps onto the field, he’s ready to perform at 100%.
For now, Tagovailoa holds the Week 1 opportunity, with Penix’s path back to the lineup remaining open once he reaches the point of true readiness. This situation highlights a careful, measured approach to returning from injury, prioritizing long-term impact over immediate return.
