Michael Penix Jr., quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, has spoken publicly about his recovery from a season-ending knee injury and shared his perspective on the hiring of new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
In an interview with Kay Adams during Super Bowl media week, Penix discussed his rehabilitation progress. “I am doing real good right now. I just met with my doctor (Thursday),” Penix said. “… We are starting to get things going. I am doing a lot of strengthening and stuff right now. I know I will be back and ready whenever the time comes.”
Penix underwent ACL surgery in early November, marking his third such procedure—though this was the first on this particular knee. He explained that his previous experiences have helped him manage the process more effectively. “I knew what to expect,” Penix told Adams. “This is my third time going through it now, so I kind of knew what to expect. I knew how to attack the rehab process so that I can be better.”
When asked about his return timeline, Penix confirmed that he aims to be cleared for Week 1 of the NFL season: getting back for opening week is “absolutely” the goal.
As he works toward returning to play, Penix is also developing a relationship with Stefanski, who recently became head coach of the Falcons. According to Penix, Stefanski reached out as soon as he accepted the position in Atlanta. “For me, I am a family oriented guy and I love my family and the people around me. … He asked me about my family and I was excited to hear him ask me about that, and it wasn’t just straight to football,” Penix said. “He wanted to really get to know me as a person.”
Penix added that after discussing personal matters, their conversation shifted toward football strategy and expectations under Stefanski’s leadership. “I hear nothing but great things about the offense,” he said. “I hear that this offense is going to bring the best out of me and allow me to play very good football, so I look forward to it.”
The Atlanta Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia, competing in the National Football League’s NFC South Division since their founding as an expansion team in 1965. The franchise has made two Super Bowl appearances—in 1998 and 2016—and Freddie the Falcon serves as its mascot according to information available on their official website.
