Michael Penix Jr. Makes Falcons History as Fastest QB to 3,000 Yards!

Michael Penix Jr. has reached a major accomplishment in his career. He is the fastest Falcons quarterback to reach three thousand yards. But how?

by A. Noel White

Sep 27, 2026

Sep 24, 2026; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) looks on during warm up prior to the during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Imagn Images

With Michael Penix Jr. returning on Thursday Night Football in Green Bay, his 256 passing yards put him over 3000 yards. He reached that mark before Atlanta Falcons legend and current President of Football Matt Ryan. How did he do it, and he has yet to play a full season?

When Penix Jr. was drafted eighth overall, two things were clear: he had a rocket arm and two surgically repaired knees. Those two facts have given the Falcons a bit of a mixed bag. Penix Jr. shows immense promise, but he’s been off the field more than on it.

He started his career behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom the Falcons acquired after he left Minnesota after learning a rookie would be behind him. Hearing the footsteps of Father Time and Penix Jr. behind him, Cousins refused to admit he was injured in 2024, killing the divisional lead they’d created, causing the Falcons to fall out of the NFC South race and, consequently, out of the playoffs.

In his second season, he was the star, and he looked very promising. Sure, there were issues like consistent intentional grounding penalties, inaccuracy, and throws born of an unwillingness to take what the defense gave him, but there were also plenty of positives.

He has a low turnover rate and a decent quarterback IQ, but most importantly, he can sling the ball. In games against the Washington Commanders, the Minnesota Vikings, and the New England Patriots, he showed he can put a team on his back and deliver the ball to the best available skill players, creating near-comeback wins. That ability and those promising moments have allowed him to reach 3000 yards so quickly. Penix Jr. doesn’t want the 10-yard gain. If there’s a 50-yard play available.

If he can stay relatively healthy for the rest of his career, the sky is the limit for the number of records he can break. He can break records not just for this team, but nationally. This is only the beginning, Falcons fans hope.