On Friday, the Atlanta Falcons general manager, Ian Cunningham announced the team’s plans to release Kirk Cousins at the start of the new league year, which will lead to the Falcons searching for a new backup quarterback while Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab his way back from surgery to repair a partially torn ACL and hopes to be ready by the start of the season.
“Health is what matters the most for Mike [Penix Jr.] and where he is and he’s doing a great job of getting healthy,” Falcons head coach, Kevin Stefanski, told 92-9 The Game’s Carl Dukes and Mike Bell as he joined the afternoon duo and discussed coming in and helping the Falcons’ quarterback with his development.
“The other thing to realize is these are young players that get better overtime. None of us, and certainly these quarterbacks early in their career, are finished products,” Stefanski said as he explained the importance of he and his staff having the responsibility to “identify areas” Penix Jr. can grow.
“He’s had some really good moments as a pro, I think there’s been a lot of really good stuff that’s happened on tape for this offense and it’s for Tommy [Rees] and the offensive staff and myself to put together a plan to get a little more out of everybody, not just Michael Penix [Jr.]. But I do think with young quarterbacks, you have to realize it does take time and that’s what we’re here for, is to put a system around our guys,” Stefanski said.