Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Bryce Young

Wednesday, November 26, 1:06 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.

Wednesday, December 3, 11:09 AM

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that he expects the Carolina Panthers to pick up quarterback Bryce Young's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but that there is uncertainty about Young's future in Carolina beyond his rookie contract. The number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Young has rebounded from a horrendous rookie season over the past two years, most notably leading Carolina to a 7-5 record in his starts this season. However, questions remain about the 24-year-old's true franchise-leading upside. Across 12 starts in 2025, Young has completed 63.4% of his pass attempts for 2,337 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He hasn't exactly had an amazing supporting cast around him in Carolina, but Young has also averaged an extremely underwhelming six yards per pass attempt across his 42 career NFL games. It appears as though the Panthers are committed to Young in the short term, but remain in wait-and-see mode as far as handing him a contract extension.