As the Falcons open 2025 training camp, Michael Penix Jr. takes over as QB1. Can he and Drake London lead the offense as a rebuilt defense aims to improve?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The wait is over, Falcons fans. Tomorrow, July 23, the Atlanta Falcons kick off their 2025 training camp, and it feels like the dawn of a completely new era. For the first time, Michael Penix Jr. enters camp as the undisputed QB1, tasked with leading a team that has invested heavily in a high-stakes defensive overhaul. With two first-round pass rushers ready to make their mark and key veterans fighting for their futures, this isn't just another camp—it's a referendum on the franchise's new direction.
The Falcons finished 31st in the league in sacks last season, a statistic that fueled a franchise-altering draft.
Make no mistake, this is Michael Penix Jr.'s team now. After taking the reins from Kirk Cousins for the final three games of last season, the rookie showed flashes of promise despite a 1-2 record. His numbers (58% completion, 737 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs) tell a story of a young QB learning on the fly. Now, with a full offseason as the starter, the mission is clear: build chemistry. A recently released team video highlighted the growing connection between Penix and star receiver Drake London, who stressed the importance of communication and daily improvement. The development of that tandem, along with a healthy Kyle Pitts, will determine the ceiling of this offense, which ranked a respectable 13th in scoring last season.
General Manager Terry Fontenot didn't just patch the pass rush; he rebuilt it from the ground up. After finishing a dismal 31st in sacks, the Falcons used both of their first-round picks on edge rushers Jalon Walker (No. 15) and James Pearce Jr. (No. 26). They also added veteran savvy with the signing of Leonard Floyd. Under new Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, the expectation is not just improvement, but immediate impact. The energy is already palpable, with behind-the-scenes footage showing defensive line coach Ollie's intense, hands-on style. This new-look unit is the team's biggest gamble and potentially its greatest strength.
Beyond the headliners, several crucial subplots will unfold. A fascinating battle is brewing at kicker, where fan-favorite Younghoe Koo, coming off a career-low 73.5% field goal percentage, will compete with German-born Lenny Krieg from the International Player Pathway program. Meanwhile, two cornerstones of the offense, tight end Kyle Pitts and right tackle Kaleb McGary, enter camp in contract years. Both missed spring practices with injuries, raising the stakes for them to get healthy and perform at a high level. Their performance and contract status will be a running storyline throughout the preseason.
While the internal optimism is high, oddsmakers in Vegas are taking a more cautious approach. The Falcons currently sit at +8000 to win the Super Bowl (22nd in the league) and +240 to win the NFC South. After an 8-9 finish last year, the path to the postseason seems to run directly through the division. A 4-2 record against NFC South opponents in 2024 shows they can compete. To defy the odds and make a real playoff push, Penix must take a significant leap forward and the rookie-led pass rush needs to be as disruptive as advertised.
All eyes turn to Flowery Branch tomorrow as the Falcons officially open camp. The questions are clear: Can Michael Penix Jr. seize control and prove he's the franchise's future? Will the rookie pass rushers transform the defense overnight? And can this team forge the chemistry needed to conquer a wide-open NFC South? The answers will start to unfold on the practice field, marking the true beginning of a new era in Atlanta.
