The Atlanta Falcons are sitting at 3-7 and are desperate to take any shot they can find to stay in the playoff race. But after losing their star quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., to a season-ending ACL tear last week against the Panthers, the path just got a whole lot tougher. Penix Jr. is expected to be back around mid-August 2026, but with his history of multiple ACL injuries in college…that’s a real concern about how complete his recovery will be. Now, experts have dropped a surprising update on Penix Jr.’s outlook for Atlanta.

“The Atlanta Falcons are not gonna have their starting quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., this week, and through the rest of the season,” Ian Rapoport recently revealed on X. “He is set this week to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery. It is an ACL sprain, means full reconstruction, which means at least nine months of recovery. Falcons are gonna have to reach a backup plan for next season.”

Well, with plenty of QB twists in the past, Atlanta is scratching its head for a backup.

The Falcons first brought in Marcus Mariota as the classic “bright starter,” who was supposed to hold the fort while rookie Desmond Ridder grew into the role. By the end of 2022, Atlanta made the move, Mariota hit the bench, and Ridder took the reins. To his credit, Mariota stayed professional, mentoring the rookie and doing everything he could to help the team in a smooth transition.

Now in 2025, the plans shifted again. With Michael Penix Jr.’s season-ending injury, the Falcons are turning to veteran Kirk Cousins to steady the ship. Ridder is still in the mix, viewed as a developmental option and a potential long-term starter. Mariota has moved on and joined the Commanders, and Atlanta’s focus is now split between getting Cousins through the season and figuring out whether Ridder can still be part of the franchise’s future.

Kirk Cousins’ future remains uncertain despite heavy investment

The Falcons locked in Kirk Cousins for a $10 million roster bonus for 2026 by keeping him on the team past the March 15 deadline. This has turned his contract from injury-guaranteed to fully guaranteed. Atlanta can still shop him around, but any team that trades for him would have to take on some or all of that $10 million hit…thanks to the contract’s offset rules.

Cousins inked a massive four-year, $180 million deal in 2024 with $100 million guaranteed. But after a rough 2024 season and losing his starting job, he’s now more of a steady veteran backup and mentor. The extra guarantee doesn’t mean he’s locked in as the long-term starter. Instead, Atlanta’s future at quarterback is still wide open, likely leaning toward young talent or future draft picks.

In his 3 cameos for the Falcons, Cousins racked up 32 of 52 for just 250 yards. His concern that QBR is 31.2 is turning out to be a big red flag for the team to continue with him at the center. But due to an injury-depleted QB room, they have to rely on Cousins. In the end, keeping Cousins is less about building around him and more about just having a trusted vet in the room…at least on paper.