Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. addressed the media this week following the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, emphasizing his ongoing pursuit of improvement and self-imposed expectations.
“I’m not perfect, man,” Penix said after Sunday’s game. “I try to be.”
During his press conference, Penix repeated the theme of striving for perfection, acknowledging that neither he nor the team achieved it in their season opener. As preparations began for Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, Penix reiterated his focus on learning from mistakes.
“It’s not always going to be perfect,” Penix said. “There’s definitely a lot of things we wanted to clean up whenever we saw the film.”
Penix has spoken openly about feeling pressure as he adapts to his role with the Falcons. Drafted eighth overall last year, he was initially expected to develop behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who joined Atlanta on a four-year contract worth $180 million. However, late-season changes led to Penix starting in Week 16 after Cousins was sidelined.
Reflecting on those circumstances and his personal growth, Penix explained how he manages high expectations: “It’s still on me,” he said. “I’m not going to lie. I just say it to help myself.”
The Falcons ended last season with an 8-9 record and went 1-2 in games started by Penix at the end of the year. Both losses came in overtime without an opportunity for him to attempt a comeback drive.
Despite limited experience—only four career starts—Penix is now expected to lead Atlanta’s offense this season.
“I know I’m not, but I want to be,” Penix said regarding perfection. “I’m going to do everything I can to get as close as I can to that. But I do feel like I do put some pressure on myself. I feel like my fiancé helps me a lot getting through that. She always is on me about just being so hard on myself, stuff like that. But I feel it. I feel it every day.
“That’s what comes with this position. That’s what comes with a small-town kid making it to this level. I’ve been through a lot to get to this, to this spot. So, sometimes I do expect a lot of myself. It’s probably not as healthy. But I know whenever I step inside the line, my mind is clear and I’m ready to go play football.”
