The Atlanta Falcons are wrapping up their rookie minicamp this weekend at their facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and a few veterans were in attendance. Aside from the three veteran tryout players, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was spotted throwing the football at Saturday’s camp session.
Penix, who’s working his way back from a partial ACL reconstruction, clearly is not taking the quarterback competition lightly. The team signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, but the fans have been split over who will start this season.
The two quarterbacks both finished the 2025 season with a passer rating of 88.5. Tagovailoa had the superior completion percentage, but Penix had a better touchdown-to-interception ratio. While Tagovailoa has the health advantage, Penix’s presence at minicamp bodes well for his chances.
Many assumed the third-year QB would be sidelined for the majority of training camp, but with two and a half months before camp starts, he may be close to 100 percent by then.
NFL world reacts to Penix throwing at rookie minicamp
Here’s how fans around the league reacted to Penix throwing at the Falcons’ rookie minicamp over the weekend.
Michael Penix was seen throwing at camp yesterday. pic.twitter.com/h22EpfjHsg
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) May 10, 2026
#Dirtybirds fans Penix is otw…QB battle in his favor…he’s already throwing…we can finally take a deep breathe QB1 has arrived again🤧 pic.twitter.com/KaRd4Qw342
— Offszn! (@ATL_4Real) May 10, 2026
There’s roughly 70 more days before actual training camp. Things are trending much faster than the doubters kept saying. And that’s because they aren’t doctors and don’t know anything about MPJs status. Just blowing smoke.
— Brad (@bbones2828) May 10, 2026
Yeah… Tua gonna have to learn bench this season… London ain’t gonna let him take Penix away from him if he’s already throwing this early!!! https://t.co/DnwUTQtlV2
— James Hellams (@Jamieh711) May 10, 2026
he winning the job outright if healthy. two lefties…equal comparison no excuses. i think he wins. if Tua wins its wraps https://t.co/CHzcCwDqOO
— just J (@peachtownJ) May 10, 2026
THE “he won’t be ready for training camp” IDIOTS
TO THE FRONT
NEEEEOOWWWWWW pic.twitter.com/dmDkcnVYFZ
— AVY3N🧹 (@avy3n) May 10, 2026
When Tua ethically beats him out then I don’t wanna hear any excuses for his poor performance then https://t.co/31iMW8SdJU
— Jack (@Crack3rjax19) May 10, 2026
You week 1 when tua is the starter
“well yeah penix was injured all throughout camp, obviously he wasn’t gonna be ready” https://t.co/qFNM2Fte6R
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) May 10, 2026
I tried to tell people he’d be ready before training camp if not before https://t.co/rPpVHS3Gij
— zach (@ZachNagel7) May 10, 2026
Just go easy young fella https://t.co/EUNHU6AxWj
— BERTO 🇵🇷 (@BERTORIFALCONS) May 10, 2026
The Falcons rookie minicamp concludes on Sunday, May 10. Check out the latest highlights from this weekend’s camp session.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons QB Michael Penix spotted throwing at minicamp: NFL reacts
