Should Michael Penix Jr. Play More In Preseason?

The Atlanta Falcons are shutting down rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the remainder of the preseason, head coach Raheem Morris announced. Penix did not play in Saturday's Week 2 preseason defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, nor will he play in the finale on Friday. It's a bit of a peculiar decision given his standing on the roster.

Morris claims Penix showed the Falcons enough during their first preseason game to warrant sitting him for the following two exhibition showings. Penix played 24 snaps in a 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He completed 9-of-16 passing attempts for 104 yards, including a 41-yard completion to Chris Blair. He earned widespread praise for his showing.

Penix was the only healthy first-round rookie quarterback who did not feature in Week 2 of the preseason. 

Drake Maye played 24 snaps for the Patriots as he continues to compete for the starting job with Jacoby Brissett. The Bears played No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams for the entire first half despite already knowing he’s their starter. Bo Nix impressed on Sunday as he continues trending towards being named the Broncos' No. 1 quarterback.

Several starting quarterbacks around the league are expected to play in Week 3 of the preseason as well. The NFC defending champion 49ers have already announced their intention to play starter Brock Purdy. Meanwhile, Penix, a rookie backup, gets the benefit of the doubt.

What makes Atlanta's decision to rest Penix for preseason games two and three that much more peculiar is his positioning on the depth chart. The Falcons drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft despite signing veteran starter Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth $180 million approximately six weeks earlier. There is no quarterback controversy in Atlanta. Cousins is a high-end proven starter and Penix is viewed as the distant future. Barring injury, Penix is at least two years away (2026) from becoming the starting quarterback. That’s when Cousins' contract with the Falcons becomes realistically sheddable ($25 million in dead money, per Over The Cap).

That means Penix will enter the 2024 campaign as Atlanta's No. 2 quarterback with only the snaps he got in the preseason opener. Couldn't a rookie quarterback who's at minimum two campaigns away from competing for the starting role using reps in the exhibition to gain valuable experience? The Falcons have obviously been beyond impressed by Penix's performances in training camp practices, but it's tough to simulate the real thing.

Had Penix played in all three preseason contests, the former Washington standout would be better prepared to replace Cousins during the regular season in case of injury. After all, Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last year. Anything can happen.

If Penix was Atlanta's starter, it'd be understandable if Morris wanted to sit him and protect him from injury. But Cousins' presence means Penix may be so far away from playing meaningful snaps that playing in the preseason would be extremely meaningful. The Falcons should be playing their rookie quarterback.