The Atlanta Falcons are maintaining silence about who will be their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, with no indication expected in February. What is clear, however, is that veteran Kirk Cousins, with 14 years in the league, will be released on March 11, as confirmed by newly appointed general manager Ian Cunningham.
This release leaves the Falcons with only two quarterbacks currently under contract: Michael Penix Jr. and Easton Stick. While Penix appears to be the likely candidate to lead the team, his recent ACL injury, sustained in November, casts doubt on whether he will be ready for the start of the season or even return to play for Atlanta at all.
New Coaching Staff Keeps Quarterback Plans Close to the Chest
During the NFL Scouting Combine on February 24, head coach Kevin Stefanski avoided giving any concrete answers regarding the quarterback position. Speaking on Michael Penix Jr., Stefanski expressed cautious optimism while emphasizing the importance of Penix’s rehabilitation.
“I’m not big on giving out positions in February. I think you guys know how I feel about Michael and I’m excited about his trajectory. I also know he’s focused on his rehab, which is the right thing to do,”
Stefanski said, as reported by The Athletic’s Josh Kendall.
Alongside Stefanski, both Ian Cunningham and Falcons’ president of football Matt Ryan have similarly refrained from making any definitive statements about the quarterback situation, fueling speculation and uncertainty around Penix’s role moving forward.
ESPN Analyst Doubts Penix’s Long-Term Role with Falcons
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick openly expressed skepticism about Penix being the Falcons’ long-term quarterback solution. He suggested that Stefanski’s comments appear to be designed to buy time as the team assesses its options.
No, personally, I don’t,
Riddick responded when asked if Penix is the answer at quarterback for Atlanta.
“Kevin’s [Stefanski] trying to buy himself some time. He’s saying ‘Look, we’ll work through that, we’re just trying to get healthy, we’re going through our process.’ … The fact of the matter is, they don’t have anybody healthy and/or on their roster right now under contract that they could line up and play a regular season game with and win a game.”
Despite the early stage of the offseason, Penix has yet to gain strong public confidence as the Week 1 starter, making the quarterback role one of the biggest open questions for the Falcons.
Potential Addition of Veteran Quarterback Could Reshape Falcons’ Offense
Riddick pointed out that organizational changes following the 2024 draft, which originally brought Penix to the team, have left the Falcons in a rebuilding phase. He believes Atlanta is likely to pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency while also evaluating draft prospects to strengthen the position.
“I think they are going to be in the market for a veteran signal caller,”
Riddick said.
“I think they’re going to look at the draft and see if they can find some kind of value there.”
Among the free agents, Riddick suggested Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis could be an ideal fit for Stefanski’s offensive scheme.
“But you’re going to tell me a guy like Malik Willis wouldn’t make sense in Kevin Stefanski’s offense?”
Willis is projected to be one of the top free agents at quarterback this offseason and may draw considerable interest. Signing him would mark a significant move for the Falcons as they prioritize upgrading their quarterback situation.
“Matt Ryan’s going to make a big move here, because he knows how important the position is.”
Quarterback Outlook Remains a Major Concern for Falcons Fans
As the Falcons navigate the uncertain recovery timeline for Michael Penix Jr. and weigh options in free agency and the draft, the team’s quarterback future remains a pressing issue. With Kirk Cousins’ departure imminent and Penix’s status unclear, Atlanta risks entering the 2026 season without a proven starter on the roster.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Falcons address this critical challenge during the coming months, as the organization aims to restore stability and competitiveness to their offense.
Kevin Stefanski asked if Michael Penix is his starting QB when healthy: "I'm not big on giving out positions in February. I think you guys know how I feel about Michael and I'm excited about his trajectory. I also know he's focused on his rehab, which is the right thing to do."
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) February 24, 2026
Louis Riddick when asked if he believes Michael Penix Jr. is the #Falcons guy moving forward:
“No, personally I don’t.”
Riddick said he expects Atlanta to make a “big move” at QB this offseason and mentions Malik Willis. pic.twitter.com/cXJOZJfmAc
— Rise Up Ryan (@RiseUpReader) February 25, 2026
