At his first press conference as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Kevin Stefanski wasted no time addressing the biggest topic on everyone’s mind: the quarterback situation. With Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. both in the building, the Falcons’ QB room is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the offseason. And while Stefanski didn’t tip his hand on how things might shake out on the depth chart, he made it clear he’s focused on one thing-getting the most out of this roster, no matter who’s under center.
Let’s start with Penix. The rookie quarterback is coming off surgery on his left knee-his fifth major procedure-but you wouldn’t know it from the way Stefanski talked about him.
The coach noted he’s already seen Penix in the training room, “aggressively attacking his rehab.” That’s the kind of mindset you want from a young QB trying to carve out a role in the league, and it clearly left an impression.
Penix, for his part, sounds locked in. Speaking with local media, he gave an encouraging update on his recovery and mindset.
“I’ve been doing great,” he said. “Each and every day, just trying to get better.
I feel like my confidence has been building.” That confidence isn’t coming out of nowhere-Penix has been down this road before.
Despite the long history of injuries, he remains optimistic, even defiant.
“It’s something I’ve done before,” he said. “I’ve always came back stronger.
I’ve always came back better.” That’s not just lip service.
Penix has made a career out of bouncing back, and he’s aiming to do it again-this time in the NFL. His target?
Week 1. Now, the medical timeline suggests a nine to 12-month recovery window, which would cut it close.
But Penix is keeping his foot on the gas, saying, “I just got to do everything in my power to make sure I’m ready for that.”
As for Cousins, Stefanski didn’t go into detail, but there’s history there. The two worked together in Minnesota, and that familiarity could come into play as the Falcons reshape their offense.
Still, Stefanski made it clear he’s not handing out starting jobs in January. This will be a competition, and both quarterbacks will have a chance to prove themselves.
One of the biggest shifts in Atlanta this offseason will be on the offensive side of the ball, where Tommy Rees is stepping in as the new playcaller. Stefanski confirmed that Rees-who followed him from Cleveland-will be running the show. That’s a significant vote of confidence, especially considering Stefanski’s own background as a playcaller.
Rees takes over for Zac Robinson, and his job is clear: unlock the full potential of this offense. That means leaning into the Falcons’ skill-position talent and moving away from the heavy use of the pistol formation that defined the previous regime. With Stefanski handing over the reins, it’s now on Rees to build a system that can support whichever quarterback wins the job-and elevate the rest of the roster along the way.
There’s still a long way to go before Week 1, but the early signs are promising. Penix is grinding.
Cousins is in the mix. And the Falcons, under Stefanski and Rees, are starting to shape a new identity-one built on competition, resilience, and a fresh offensive vision.