The Atlanta Falcons are working to improve the connection between their offensive line and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the 2025 training camp at Flowery Branch, Georgia. While the team has had stability along its offensive line in recent years, the quarterback position has seen more change.
Chris Lindstrom, right guard for the Falcons, explained how important it is for linemen to understand where the quarterback will be in the pocket. “The biggest thing as an offensive lineman is understanding the depth of the pocket and kind of where he’s going to be,” Lindstrom said. “That only comes with reps. There’s a certain feeling you have.”
Michael Penix Jr., who was drafted by Atlanta last year with the No. 8 pick, enters his second season but his first as a starter. He took over starting duties late last season after Kirk Cousins was benched due to performance issues.
Jake Matthews, left tackle for Atlanta, described how practice helped him get used to Penix’s style under center: “I remember when he got the Giants start, that first week of practice, even I was like, ‘I gotta get used to his cadence. I gotta get comfortable with him,'” Matthews said. “Then, by the time the game came around, we were clicking.”
In Penix’s first start—a win against New York—he completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards without being sacked but threw one interception after a pass bounced off Kyle Pitts’ hands. The team rushed for 127 yards and scored twice on the ground.
Penix’s next two starts were overtime losses against Washington and Carolina. Over those games he completed 40 of 73 passes for 535 yards and three touchdowns but was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. The Falcons managed 353 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns during those contests.
From Weeks 16-18 with Penix as starting quarterback, Atlanta ranked fourth in rushing yards (480), seventh in total yards (1,203), and eighth in passing yards (723) among NFL teams.
Left guard Matthew Bergeron highlighted differences between playing with Cousins and Penix: “Switching to Mike from Kirk obviously was different,” Bergeron said. “They’re different players. They have a different style. Playing those last three games with Mike kind of showed me what he’s able to do, what he likes and also the comms on pass pro and stuff like that.”
Each member of Atlanta’s offensive line is adjusting at their own pace; some need more repetitions while others feel comfortable sooner.
Center Ryan Neuzil commented on learning each quarterback’s unique cadence: “Every quarterback’s cadence is different,” Neuzil said. “The way they roll the cadence together. How vocal they are. Everything… You just have to get used to it.”
Right tackle Kaleb McGary emphasized how familiarity can help identify subtle changes at the line: “Once you know your quarterback good enough, you can tell just by the change in their voice, like when the snap counts change or like you forgot to say something,” McGary said.
As preseason continues, players see this period as an opportunity to work through mistakes before regular season begins September 7 against Tampa Bay at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Penix expressed appreciation for his protection up front: “They know as long as I stay in that center of the pocket, everything is going to be smooth,” Penix said. “Those guys makes sure that pocket is clean for me… Those guys block their tails off for me and everybody each and every day, so I truly appreciate it.”
