The 2026 season will be one that very well could determine the future for the Atlanta Falcons at the quarterback position. Under the new coaching staff led by Kevin Stefanski, the Falcons will figure out what they have between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
Currently in the middle of OTAs, the two quarterbacks are beginning their battle for the starting spot heading into Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. But there’s a very good chance both will see significant time on the field in 2026, with Atlanta looking to see what it has at the position for its future.
If neither can prove deserving to be the team’s franchise quarterback in the eyes of Stefanski and his staff, then all signs could point toward the Falcons focusing heavily on the 2027 NFL Draft to find their next signal-caller.
The good news for Atlanta is that the 2027 quarterback class is already projected to be loaded. And according to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, the Falcons could end up targeting CJ Carr from Notre Dame Fighting Irish football.
Falcons Projected to Target Notre Dame’s CJ Carr
Sobleski based his projection off the Falcons currently holding the eighth-longest odds to win next year’s Super Bowl, per FanDuel. In turn, that would likely place Atlanta in position to land a top-10 pick, which could be enough to select one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, like Carr, should he declare.
“Carr may be coming off his first season as a starter, but he already showed that he can efficiently operate an offense and keep it ahead of the chains. He’s also a natural thrower, who spins the ball well, even when pressured,” Sobleski wrote.
Carr handled pressure extremely well during his first season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback. According to ESPN’s David Hale, Carr was pressured on 36.7% of his dropbacks but still completed 65% of his passes with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions when facing five or more pass-rushers.
“For Carr, his biggest obstacle is proving he can operate at a relatively high level without having the nation’s top two running backs in the same backfield,” Sobleski added. “His ability to carry Notre Dame’s offense to some degree will only inflate his draft value.”
Carr finished his first season as the Fighting Irish’s starting quarterback throwing for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 66.6% of his passes and leading Notre Dame to a 10-2 record. He’ll be a redshirt sophomore in 2026.
More Falcons On Heavy: Falcons On Tank Notice as Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa Concerns Mount
Michael Penix Jr. Still Hoping to Prove Himself
Meanwhile, Penix is still hoping he gets the opportunity to prove he can become Atlanta’s next franchise quarterback beginning early in the 2026 season.
Despite suffering a torn ACL in Week 11 last November, Penix said on May 19 that playing in Week 1 has remained one of his biggest goals throughout recovery.
“Ever since I got hurt, that’s been a goal,” Penix said. “But at the same time, I’ve got to focus on the right now and right now I’ve got to do whatever I can to get better each and every day.”
According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Penix began throwing again in mid-March and has already been participating in individual drills as well as 7-on-7 sessions during practice.
This is now Penix’s third torn ACL over the last eight seasons dating back to his college football career at Indiana Hoosiers football.
Still, Penix believes he’s progressing well physically.
“I feel like myself,” Penix said. “I feel great. I feel really good. Right now, I’ll just say as long as nobody falls into my leg … but I feel great. I feel like I’m right where I need to be.”
This shapes up as an obvious prove-it season for Penix, who is now preparing for another quarterback competition after previously battling Kirk Cousins the last two years. But if the Falcons eventually pursue a quarterback like Carr in the 2027 draft, it likely won’t be the last major quarterback competition Penix faces in Atlanta.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Falcons Predicted To Find Michael Penix Replacement With Rising 24-TD QB appeared first on HEAVY.