ATLANTA — If finding a head coach and general manager in 2026 was decision 1A for the Falcons in 2026, solidifying the state of the quarterback position was 1B. So, it made sense why one of the first questions Stefanski was asked in his introductory press conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium early Tuesday afternoon was about his evaluation and outlook on the position.
Stefanski began his answer by saying Michael Penix Jr. is someone he is “very excited about.” He added, though, that his rehab “is what’s most important right now.”
“I saw him in the training room this week,” Stefanski said, “and as you can imagine he is attacking his rehab.”
Penix underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in November 2025. If all progresses well for Penix (and based on ACL recovery timelines), he could return to play anywhere from July to October — which is 9-12 months post-surgery.
With the season beginning in September and a new head coach and coordinator coming in, that’s a pretty significant time frame to work against. It’s why the Falcons have to plan for a world in which Penix isn’t the starter come Week 1. At this point, they cannot guarantee that will be the case.
Still, Stefanski expressed a clear intrigue about the player the Falcons took with the No. 8 overall pick in 2024.
“I think you see a player on tape who can get through progressions, can layer the ball, can push the ball to all areas of the field. Obviously, was very productive in college and has had some really, really good moments here in the pros,” Stefanski said. “I see a young player who will continue to develop and continue to get better.”
Stefanski referred to himself as a “maniac” about player development when referring to how he plans to get Penix — but also the entire team — ready to go in 2026
“I am crazy about the development of our players. We want to be a very intentional group when it comes to developing players, and obviously the quarterback position is at the forefront of that,” Stefanski said. “I have been able to be exposed to other quarterbacks, whether its rookies, a 40-year-old Brett Favre, a 40-year-old Joe Flacco — I have seen a bunch of different guys at that position and I think it is our job as coaches to put structure around them, to put a curriculum together in the offseason to get them up to speed in whatever areas, to give them very specific things that we are going to work on together so they can improve.”
