Michael Penix Jr.'s rehab has been the Atlanta Falcons' biggest X factor of the offseason. Without him on the field competing, it is Tua Tagovailoa's job to lose. The Falcons coaches have claimed that the competition will be open. But that's hard to imagine considering the extra work they've seen from Tua.
But that didn't stop one Falcons assistant for reviving Penix Jr.'s hope of starting Week 1. While addressing the media after Tuesday's practice, new quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt gave an update on the dynamics of the competition -- and it is the best news Michael Penix Jr. could ever ask for.
"Yes, I do. I think he has done everything he can possibly do to put himself in the position to compete," Van Pelt said. "It's only a matter of time until that comes. And then we'll reset and look at it from the big picture once he is available."
This is big news for the team moving forward. All fans can ask for is a fair competition, with the winner being the starter in Week 1 in Pittsburgh.
Alex Van Pelt is giving Michael Penix Jr. a chance in the QB competition
The most poignant part of his comments is "And then we'll reset and look at it from the big picture once he is available." The fact that he admits they will "reset" is huge news for the position moving forward.
What you fear is Tagovailoa's extra 11-on-11 work being the deciding factor; the coaches see more of him, therefore, you hand him the starting gig--especially if Penix Jr. is still weeks away from being cleared.
The 26-year-old has participated in 7-on-7. By all accounts, Penix Jr. has looked solid. He has been completing the majority of his passes while being aggressive downfield. But not having to deal with a pass rush makes you have to take it with a grain of salt.
If the coaching staff can use the Men in Black neuralyzer on themselves, it would be the best-case scenario. Up until this point, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Tagovailoa would start. The new regime has no allegiance to the former first-rounder; they won't be blamed if he doesn't pan out.
Still, Penix Jr. has a steep hill to climb with his preseason availability being in doubt. Kevin Stefanski plans on playing everyone in the first and third exhibition games, so Tagovailoa will have time to show off on the gridiron with a starting cast.
Does that actually make this a fair competition? Not really. But there is nothing you can do about that.
At the very least, we have the Falcons assuring everyone that the team's biggest competition will be made as fair as possible. While Tua is still the no-doubt leader, we can't shut the door on his counterpart.
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