A Meeting 20 Years in the Making: Michael Vick, Michael Penix Jr., and the Future of Falcons Quarterbacks

After four years of quarterback uncertainty, the Atlanta Falcons believe they’ve finally found their guy in rookie Michael Penix Jr.—and they’ve got a legendary endorsement to back it up.

Michael Vick, one of the most electrifying players in franchise history, visited the team’s fourth OTA practice this week and came away impressed with what he saw from the young quarterback.

“I think this is gonna be an amazing season for him,” Vick said Monday on the Atlanta Falcons Podcast Network. “Just watching practices, it looks like everything has slowed down.”

That’s no small compliment coming from Vick, who once redefined the quarterback position in Atlanta. On the sideline, he chatted with coaches and players—including Penix, second-year running back Bijan Robinson, and wide receiver Drake London—three pillars of what the Falcons hope is a high-powered offense in the making.

Now head coach at Norfolk State, Vick used the visit to observe both player development and leadership. He closely watched Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, including a moment when Morris paused practice to address a brief scuffle during 11-on-11 drills—a clear sign that culture and discipline are early priorities.

“I like what I saw out there,” Vick said. “It felt focused. It felt like a team getting ready to take that next step.”

For the Falcons, Penix is more than just a top-10 pick. He’s viewed as the long-term answer at a position that’s been unsettled since Matt Ryan’s departure in 2022. The team has rotated through a string of short-term solutions, but with Penix’s arm strength, poise, and maturity, there’s hope that the 2025 season could mark a new era.

That vision becomes more complicated with Kirk Cousins in the picture. Atlanta signed the veteran quarterback to a four-year, $180 million contract—with $100 million guaranteed—in March 2024, signaling a short-term push to win. But just weeks later, they drafted Penix No. 8 overall, sending a mixed signal about their quarterback timeline.

And now, with Aaron Rodgers reportedly signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cousins—who was once considered Pittsburgh’s top fallback option—finds himself locked into Atlanta with limited flexibility. If Penix develops quickly, Cousins could go from high-priced starter to highly paid backup faster than anyone expected.

Still, for all the contract chatter and future forecasting, what resonated most this week was the handshake between two men: Michael Vick and Michael Penix Jr.

It wasn’t just symbolic—it was historic. Two Black quarterbacks. Two Falcons. Twenty years apart. One sharing belief, experience, and expectations with the next.

From Vick to Penix, it’s more than a passing of the torch. It’s a continuation of a legacy Atlanta’s been building for decades.