When the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, many around the league were highly critical of the pick. While Penix was projected to go somewhere in the first round, Atlanta wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a landing spot.

Fortunately for Atlanta, Penix showed enough promise to overshadow the shortcomings of the team’s 2024 class. NFL.com released its 2024 draft grades for all 32 teams and the Falcons landed in the bottom third of the league with a “C” grade:

As the Atlanta Falcons enter this offseason searching for a few pieces to help snap a seven-year playoff drought, they'll sleep well at night due to rising second-year pro Michael Penix Jr. leading the team under center.

Before the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. sat down with Jon Gruden and Jameis Winston on Gruden's show "Gruden Goes Long," part of Barstool Sports. While acknowledging that he was now a free agent and a correspondent of Fox Sports, Winston would be asked by Gruden to introduce Michael Penix Jr.

This offseason, the possibility of Jameis Winston signing with the Atlanta Falcons to replace Kirk Cousins as Michael Penix's backup is on the table.