After enduring four seasons of instability at the quarterback position, the Atlanta Falcons believe Michael Penix Jr. can change that.
They are not alone in their thinking. Michael Vick, one of the most popular and electrifying players in team history — and a former franchise quarterback, himself – sees big things ahead for Penix in 2025.
"I think this is gonna be an amazing season for him." Vick said on the Atlanta Falcons Podcast Network Monday. "Just watching practices, it look like everything has slowed down."
Vick visited Atlanta's fourth OTA practice, which was the second session of the offseason open to media, and was seen interacting with coaches and players on the sideline. Among those he shared words with were Penix, running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.
You are unable to interact with this content due to your Cookie Consent choices, you can enable cookies in the footer by selecting Cookie Settings.
We had a legend at practice today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7acbHpyVKz
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 2, 2025
As the new head coach at Norfolk State, Vick closely observed Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, including a moment when Morris gathered his entire team following a scuffle during an 11-on-11 period. There was plenty for Vick to take in, and he's already familiar with the type of potential this 2025 squad has, particularly on offense.
In fact, Vick sees some similarities between the current group and the ones he was a part of.
"Oh, man, I mean, just Tyler and Bijan, man. Like, Tyler gonna do the dirty work. Bijan gonna just be dynamic. And this season right here gonna be the breakout season," Vick said. "And then when you look at it, and it almost looked like what we had. You know, you got the big receivers. You know, I had Finn. You know, I had Alge. Michael got Pitts — he got Kyle. He got Drake, big receivers. And then he got a dynamic (running back). I had Warrick, a dynamic running back, behind me. And then another dynamic running back in T.J. Duckett."
The trio of Vick, Dunn and Duckett helped the Falcons finish as a top 5 rushing offense in 2002 and as the league's top rushing offense in three straight years from 2004-06. Atlanta reached its peak during the Vick era in the 2004 season, when it reached the NFC Championship Game. That season, Vick finished second in the NFL MVP race and led the Falcons to an 11-5 record.
Although the sample size is small, the Falcons' current offensive trio has also shown flashes of brilliance. In their third game starting together, Penix, Robinson and London helped the Falcons become the first team with players under the age of 25 throw for 300 yards, gain 175 receiving yards and rush for 15o yards all in the same game.
Beginning with the selection of Kyle Pitts in 2021, the Falcons have been building out their offense with uniquely gifted weapons. All they've needed is the right player to take the helm at quarterback and maximize the potential of the group.
After his early look at what Atlanta's offense can be with Penix in place, Vick is a believer that the Falcons have found that piece.
"He threw a couple touchdown passes today," Vick said. "Good reads, moved well in the pocket. Good pocket presence and good feel for the game. And so, with some complementary players around him like Bijan and Drake and Kyle, these guys are gonna really do some special things this year."
