Dwight Freeney isn’t ready to hand the Falcons’ quarterback job to Michael Penix Jr. just yet.
The Hall of Fame pass rusher, who spent a season in Atlanta and helped the franchise get to Super Bowl LI during the 2016 campaign, recently sized up the team’s biggest training camp storyline: the quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Penix. And in Freeney’s eyes, the veteran has the edge.
During an interview with Action Network’s DJ Siddiqi, Freeney acknowledged Tagovailoa’s injury history, but still made it clear where he stands as Atlanta enters Kevin Stefanski’s first season as head coach.
"If all things are the way it's supposed to be, the veteran guy should be the starter," Freeney said.
Freeney didn’t dismiss Penix’s talent or his draft status. Instead, he said the answer depends on what Stefanski wants the offense to be.
"If it's going to be more of a read-zone type of athletic situation, then you have Penix," Freeney explained.
But if Atlanta is leaning toward the more traditional pocket-passing approach that many expect, Freeney said Tagovailoa is the better fit because of his experience and accuracy.
"Who has the most mileage on them, has the most veteran leadership type of qualities? That's Tua."
He also pointed to what Tagovailoa can do as a passer when he’s right. In Freeney’s view, if the former Pro Bowler gets back to the level he showed in his best Miami seasons, the Falcons’ offense could become a problem for defenses.
"If Tua is Tua, a more accurate quarterback pocket passer, and if that system that they like, if you want to keep him there in that pocket, I think they can be dangerous. I really do."
For now, though, this battle is still in its early stages. Tagovailoa missed the first practices of training camp after a back issue flared up, but he has already returned to 11-on-11 work during the pads-on portion of summer practice.
Penix is still working back from the ACL injury he suffered last season. He has taken part in individual drills and 7-on-7 work, but he has not yet been cleared for full team periods.
Freeney also pushed back hard on the idea that this is Tagovailoa’s last shot to start for a good team if things don’t work out in Atlanta.
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