Michael Penix Jr. is prepared to join the Falcons on the field for their rookie minicamp.

Michael Penix Jr. is on the brink of making his debut on the practice field at Flowery Branch. The Falcons are set to kick off their three-day rookie minicamp on Friday, where they’ll be assessing around 18 first-year players, among them eight draftees. However, all attention will be on Penix, who the team surprisingly snagged with the No. 8 overall pick, earmarking him as their future franchise quarterback.

The decision to secure Kirk Cousins’ successor before he’s even taken a snap for the team has been thoroughly scrutinized, debated, and analyzed, but now the focus shifts to Penix’s performance. While he’s not expected to see much action during the regular season, the opportunities presented to him throughout the offseason, from minicamp to training camp to the preseason, will be invaluable.

“I know I’m going to put in a ton of work to make sure whenever I do step on that field, it’s not going to be a beat missed,” Penix stated during his introductory press conference. Drawing from his collegiate experience, where he battled injuries before excelling at Washington and becoming a Heisman Trophy candidate, Penix emphasized the importance of patience, a quality he believes he’s honed over the years. Uncertain about when he’ll start his first game, Penix acknowledges the value of the lessons learned during his challenging times and his readiness to elevate his game to the next level in Atlanta.

While rookie minicamp may not yield significant insights, it offers Penix a chance to integrate with his new teammates, engage with coaches, and familiarize himself with the team’s facilities. He has the opportunity to showcase the explosive left arm that made him a force in the Pac-12 and to exhibit the leadership qualities that have garnered praise from those around him. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot expressed his excitement about adding Penix, highlighting his exceptional skills and leadership traits.

Turning 24 on Wednesday, Penix led the nation with 4,903 passing yards last season, ranking third with 36 passing touchdowns. He guided the Huskies to a conference title and a berth in the national championship game. While there was speculation about his first-round status, the early run on quarterbacks, with six selected in the first 12 picks, emphasized the need for the Falcons to secure their quarterback of the future. Penix became the fourth quarterback off the board after Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, preceding J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix. The Falcons’ decision to draft Penix marks their first selection of a quarterback in the top two rounds since Matt Ryan in 2008, signaling a pivotal moment in their quarterback history.