Falcons announce Michael Penix Jr. will make 2026 debut as starting QB against Packers

The briefing

The Atlanta Falcons announced that Michael Penix Jr. will make his first start of the 2026 season at quarterback against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, has been recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. He replaces Cooper Rush, who filled in during the team's first two losses.