Michael Penix Jr. has Atlanta at 3-2 through five games in 2025, including a 24-14 Monday Night Football takedown of the Bills. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown in that upset, showing pocket poise against Josh Allen’s squad. Bijan Robinson added 238 scrimmage yards, fueling the win.
Unfortunately, Atlanta ranks 27th in all-time NFL QB history via HeyTC, with just 10 playoff victories and no Super Bowls. Yet Penix sits at No. 7 on the Falcons’ QB list. A deep playoff run early in this career could push him to No. 2. Falcons fans, hold steady – this arm could redefine the franchise.
Atlanta’s QB Bar Stays Low – But Penix Clears It Early
HeyTC slots the Falcons 27th out of 32 teams in QB rankings, earning a “Cooked” tier for their spotty history. That 5.38 composite score reflects minimal success, with 14 playoff nods yielding a 10-14 record. All-time mark? 401-514-6, a grind of inconsistency.
Compare Atlanta’s ranking to that of the Patriots and you find a massive descrepancy. The Patriots rank #1 in all-time quarterback play with a rating of 94.34. The Cowboys are second at 83.78.
Counter that with 2025’s spark. Atlanta’s defense ranks first in yards allowed and seventh in points surrendered. They’ve forced six turnovers – not elite, but enough to back Penix’s growth. Early wins over the Vikings, Commanders, and Bills signal progress. Still, skeptics note the offense’s 27th ranking in points per game at 20.0. Balance is key here.
Matt Ryan Sets the Attainable Standard
Matt Ryan claims No. 1 on Atlanta’s all-time QB list with a 42.23 HeyTC rating over 14 years. Good regular-season play, great fantasy value, average playoffs – it adds up to “Slaps” status. He owns franchise records in passing yards and touchdowns, peaking with an MVP in 2016 and a Super Bowl LI berth.
That run masked team flaws, though. Ryan’s squads hit four playoff wins in one stretch, but overall inefficiency lingered. Pro Football Reference shows his 120-102 record, solid yet short of dynasty status. Without his precision, Atlanta’s aura fades fast.
Chris Chandler Brought Rare Stability
No. 2 on the Falcons All-Time list at quarterback is Chris Chandler, who posts a 33.84 rating across five seasons: average seasons, good fantasy, average playoffs, “Chill” vibe. He guided Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance in 1999, yet lost to John Elway’s Broncos.
But those peaks came late in his career after stints in Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Phoenix, and Houston. Chandler stabilized things after Bartkowski’s era, yet his bridge role left Atlanta craving more.
Michael Vick Ignited the Dual-Threat Era
Michael Vick lands at No. 3 with 33.10 over six years: good seasons, good fantasy, average playoffs, another “Chill” label. His scrambling redefined the position, amassing rushing yards that set trends.
Vick’s 2002 wild-card upset over Green Bay, with 139 rushing yards, stands out. Turnovers and off-field issues disrupted flow, though. His 38-28-1 record hints at potential, but chaos defined the tenure. Compared to Ryan’s consistency, Vick’s flash feels incomplete.
Steve Bartkowski and Chris Miller Laid Shaky Foundations
Steve Bartkowski, No. 4 at 31.67 over 11 years: subpar seasons, good fantasy, subpar playoffs, “Delulu” tag. He earned a 1983 Pro Bowl and led a 12-4 team to the divisional round.
Injuries hampered him, yielding a 55-66 record. Chris Miller, No. 5 at 30.33 across seven years: subpar seasons, good fantasy, average playoffs, also “Delulu.” His 1991 wild-card win over the Saints sparked hope, but concussions cut it short.
Penix Jr. Enters at No. 7 – Growth Amid Green Moments
At No. 7, Michael Penix Jr. holds an 18.30 rating after two years: average seasons, average fantasy, non-factor playoffs, “NPC” vibe though it’s clearly early for this former 8th overall pick. Through five 2025 games, he’s thrown for 1,168 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions, and 82.7 passer rating.
The Bills win showcased grit – a 14-play drive to seal it. Earlier? A 300-yard outing vs. Washington after a Carolina dud. Rushes add 31 yards and a score. Bench time behind Cousins in 2024 paid off. Like No. 6 Jeff George, one-year risks loom if protection falters.
| Rank | QB Name | Years | Playoff Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Ryan | 14 | Super Bowl LI appearance |
| 2 | Chris Chandler | 5 | Super Bowl XXXII apperance |
| 3 | Michael Vick | 6 | 2002 wild-card upset |
| 4 | Steve Bartkowski | 11 | 1983 divisional round |
| 5 | Chris Miller | 7 | 1991 wild-card win |
| 7 | Michael Penix Jr | 2 | 3-2 in 2025 starts |
Playoff Wins Propel Penix Up the Ranks
Two playoff victories could eclipse Chandler. HeyTC emphasizes postseason, after all legends win Super Bowls, not division titles. Penix’s laser to Drake London (158 yards vs. Bills) hints at red-zone prowess. Bijan’s league-leading 822 scrimmage yards eases pressure.
History tempers hype: Last deep push? 2017. But 2025’s defense flips narratives. One turnover spree, though, and doubts resurface. Poise in crunch time echoes Ryan.
Falcons Must Embrace Patience Over Panic
It’s very important for Atlanta to avoid the Browns’ (28th, 4.46 rating all-time team QB ranking) carousel or Jets’ rinse-repeat. Giants post-Manning? Cooked. Atlanta’s low bar invites zen – marinate Penix through slumps.
Would it be the worst thing if Penix sat for half the season, with Kirk Cousins taking over the reins again? In some ways yes, in some ways no. Confidence is everything for a quarterback, yet sitting and learn is always underrated in today’s NFL.
Penix Raises Atlanta’s Ceiling – Flaws and All
Falcons quarterbacks have long flirted with glory but never grasped it—no Super Bowl rings, just fleeting moments. Matt Ryan shouldered the load with MVP grit, Michael Vick electrified with game-breaking runs, and others like Chandler steadied the ship without steering it to port. Penix Jr. blends raw arm strength with a knack for clutch drives, like that 14-play Bills dagger.
Atlanta, don’t flinch at his rookie wobbles—commit to this spark. Penix could finally bury the franchise’s drought and carve a legacy beyond Ryan’s shadow.
FAQs
1. Why does Michael Penix Jr. rank No. 7 all-time for Falcons already?
HeyTC factors early efficiency and wins, edging him past Marcus Mariota despite limited starts. His 18.30 rating reflects average marks; playoffs would elevate fast.
2. Could Michael Penix reach No. 2 with minimal playoff success?
Yes – postseason weighs heavy. Matching Chris Chandler’s Super Bowl run via wins boosts his non-factor tier, prioritizing impact over longevity.
3. What’s Atlanta’s core QB historical flaw?
Instability rules. 43 ranked QBs, mostly “NPC” or “Cooked.”
4. How stacks 2025’s 3-2 against Falcons’ past starts?
Outpaces most – tops Vick’s 2002 4-3 early or Chandler’s 1998 3-3. Beating playoff teams adds weight, unlike Ryan’s 2016 6-0 surge.
5. Bench Michael Penix Jr. during a 2025 dip?
No. Patience built Matt Ryan after Michael Vick. Disrupting echoes Jets’ errors. Ride his development with Bijan Robinson’s support.
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